Answer

Introduction

In a fragmented global order, India’s engagement with the Global South has transitioned from ideological solidarity to “pragmatic leadership.” By championing the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 and launching initiatives like DAKSHIN, New Delhi is positioning itself as a reliable bridge between the industrialised North and the developing South.

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Bilateral Engagements and Leadership Role

• Africa Outreach (Ethiopia/Nigeria): India is deepening ties with the “pulse of Africa” through high-level visits focusing on digital governance and security.
  Eg: In late 2025, PM Modi’s visit to Ethiopia focused on operationalising the AU’s G20 membership and debt sustainability frameworks.
• Caribbean Diplomacy (Guyana): India is revitalising ties with CARICOM nations, focusing on energy security and climate resilience for Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
  Eg: During the 2024 state visit to Guyana, India signed 10 MoUs covering hydrocarbons, healthcare, and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
• West Asia Economic Integration: Strategic CEPA agreements are being used to secure supply chains while acting as a developmental partner for Middle Eastern nations.
  Eg: The signing of the India-Oman CEPA in December 2025 marked a milestone in securing fertilizer and energy supplies while promoting AYUSH exports.
• Operationalising DAKSHIN Initiative: India is sharing its “India Stack” (UPI, Cowin) through the Global South Centre of Excellence to bridge the digital divide.
• Strategic Autonomy in Conflicts: India maintains a “neutral-positive” stance in the Russia-Ukraine war, advocating for the South’s food and energy security over bloc politics.
• Humanitarian Bridge-Building: India’s “First Responder” tag in regional crises enhances its moral authority among developing nations.
  Eg: India offering  USD 450 million aid to Sri lanka after Cyclone Ditwah.
• Critical Minerals Circularity: India is leading a new initiative to secure the “Green Transition” for the Global South by preventing supply chain weaponisation.
  Eg: India proposed the G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative in 2025 to assist developing nations in recycling and urban mining.
• BIMSTEC Regional Anchorage: By hosting the 2025 BIMSTEC Summit, India is providing a stable alternative to the stalled SAARC, focusing on Bay of Bengal connectivity.
  Eg: PM Modi’s 2025 Thailand visit for BIMSTEC focused on a unified “Maritime Security” framework for the Global South members.

Conclusion

India’s “multi-aligned” diplomacy effectively balances its national security interests with its role as a moral voice for the Global South. By offering scalable, low-cost technological solutions and maintaining strategic autonomy during global conflicts, India has emerged as an indispensable “Global Swing State” that can mediate between competing world orders.

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