The United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation, observed annually on September 12, underscores the critical role of South-South Cooperation (SSC) in fostering solidarity and collaboration among countries in the Global South. This day serves as a platform to promote awareness about the significance of SSC in addressing shared development challenges and seizing opportunities among developing nations. As the world emerges from the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and navigates fast-changing political developments, SSC has been revitalised as a key principle and framework for enhancing the national well-being of developing countries and achieving internationally agreed-upon development goals.
The rise of the Global South has been marked by a significant shift in global dynamics, with countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Oceania increasingly asserting their influence on the international stage. This resurgence highlights the potential for these nations to reshape global economic and political landscapes, emphasising collaboration and mutual growth. India, as an emerging power, plays a pivotal role in this evolving narrative. India’s strategic positioning and diplomatic initiatives have the potential to influence the formation of new platforms, pressure points, and partnerships especially its relations with African countries which merge with the ideals of global SSC.
Meaning of Global North and Global South
The Global North and Global South signify the categorisation of countries of the world in terms of socio-economic and political characteristics. The term ‘Global South’ includes regions of Asia, Africa, Latin America and Oceania where 88 per cent of the world’s population resides, while the ‘Global North’ includes regions of North America and Europe. These nations share a common history of colonialism and often face challenges such as underdevelopment, high income inequality, and reliance on agrarian economies. Most of the countries with Global North are developed countries.
On the other hand, the term ‘Global South’ does not necessarily mean the geographical south, as most of the regions of Global South are physically above the equator, i.e., within the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, it can be rightly said that the countries of the Global South are mostly developing and are getting industrialised or have been industrialised.
From ‘Third World’ to Global South
The term ‘Global South’ was coined by American political activist Carl Oglesby in 1969 to describe nations suffering from economic and political exploitation by the developed Global North. Initially overshadowed by the Cold War-era classifications like First World, Second World, and the Third World, the term has gained traction due to its more neutral connotations. Unlike ‘Third World’, which became synonymous with poverty and instability, ‘Global South’ unifies diverse nations striving to reshape the global economy and power dynamics.
Initially, the term ‘Third World’ referred to countries that were neither aligned with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (First World) nor the Communist Bloc (Second World). However, it later became associated with negative stereotypes of poverty and instability. As these nations sought a new identity, the term ‘Global South’ emerged, emphasising their potential and shared goals for development and equality.
Some Features of the Global South
Some key characteristics of the Global South include lower development levels, economic inequality, rapid population growth, agrarian economies, shorter life expectancy, and external dependence.
Global South in the (new) world order Recently, discussions about the Global North-South divide have intensified, highlighting the need for a new global political and economic order. The United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of the resolution “Towards a New International Economic Order” in December 2022 exemplifies this trend. The Global South’s resurgence is significant, given the reduction in wealth inequality across the North-South divide, driven by the rapid economic growth of countries like India and China.
Economic growth and influence
Increased GDP share According to the World Bank, the GDP of the Global South rose from about 20 per cent of the world GDP in the 1970s to approximately 40 per cent by 2012.
Emerging economic powers Countries like India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia have become influential global players due to their economic growth and strategic positioning.
Independent global actors These nations now navigate international affairs more independently, resisting alignment with Western agendas.
Political stance on global issues
The divide was evident during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. While many Global South countries condemned Russia’s actions, around 85 per cent did not align with the Western consensus led by the US. This included India, which chose not to impose sanctions on Moscow, reflecting a nuanced stance on global geopolitics.
About South-South Cooperation
The term ‘South-South Cooperation’ implies the technical cooperation, particularly in terms of knowledge, expertise, and skills, among the developing and under-developed nations of the Global South. These nations work in coordination with each other so that their common developmental challenges can be tackled efficiently. They collaborate with each other in different fields, such as human rights, agricultural development, health, urbanisation, environmental stability, and climate change.
In order to attain self-sufficiency, the countries of the Global South extend a helping hand to one another. Issues such as education, health care and poverty are gradually being dealt with by these nations. With the help of South-South Cooperation, the developing nations assist one another in economic and social growth.
Technical cooperation is a tool that facilitates the exchange of successful initiatives among the countries that have common challenges and similar historical backgrounds. The civil society, academics, international organisations, states along with the private sector use this tool for establishing collaboration among developing nations.
South-South Cooperation: Background
It is believed that the concept of South-South Cooperation emerged in the mid-1950s when the developing countries had achieved independence from their respective colonial rulers. Then, these countries focused on advocating their shared interests and sought to develop economic relations with other countries of the world.
The South-South Cooperation was officially established in 1974. It was during this time that the developing countries got inclined to the notion of ‘collective self-reliance’. In the next two decades, a number of developing countries collaborated, resulting in the growth of the South-South Cooperation. The South-South Cooperation has been supported by the UN and other international organisations using several means.
Importance of South-South Cooperation
There are varied needs, priorities, and challenges of the developing and developed nations. With the help of the South-South Cooperation, developing countries are in a position to cooperate with each other and tackle their shared challenges.
As the developing nations have the similar colonial history, they have many common characteristics, which encompass illiteracy, poor infrastructure, poverty, etc. As a result, they can come together to collaborate with one another and find solutions to their problems.
For developing nations, obtaining self-reliance individually could be difficult. But collective self-reliance could be achieved with the help of South-South Cooperation.
It was required that the Official Development Assistance facilitated by the developed nations should be expanded. But many conditions needed to be met for this. In such a case, the developing nations could resort to the South-South Cooperation.
Using the South-South Cooperation, skills, knowledge, expertise, and resources can be shared among the developing nations so that their development goals can be achieved.
The South-South Cooperation enables technology transfer, knowledge exchange in innovative ways, handling emergency situations, and taking up original livelihoods. All this is transforming lives in the developing nations.
In recent years, more than half of the total GDP of the world is constituted by the countries of the Global South. Besides, intra-South trade is the highest till now, which constitutes more than 25 per cent of the total world trade.
One-third of the total outflows of foreign direct investment in the world is contributed by the Global South.
Further, the transfer of funds from migrant workers to developing and underdeveloped countries amounted to US$ 466 billion last year. As a result, millions of low-income families were raised from abject poverty.
Notable entities around the world are of the opinion that the ideas, energy and high-level creativity of the Global South is necessary in order to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
India’s Role as the Voice of the Global South
India has historically played a prominent role in representing the Global South. From its leadership in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and G77 during the Cold War to its active participation in contemporary international platforms, India has consistently advocated for the interests of the developing nations.
India’s Leadership and Initiatives
The G20 presidency During its presidency of the G20 in 2023, India emphasised its commitment to the Global South. A landmark event was the Global South Summit in January 2023, themed Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged collective action to reshape the global order. The summit saw participation from 125 countries, highlighting the importance of collaboration among the Global South nations.
Africa’s inclusion in the G20 India’s diplomatic efforts during the G20 Summit in Delhi in September 2023 led to the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the G20. This historic expansion allows African nations to voice their concerns and priorities directly to major economic powers, representing a significant step in global governance. India’s efforts to include the African Union in the G20 underscore its commitment to elevating Global South voices in international forums.
Vaccine Maitri initiative During the COVID-19 pandemic, India launched the Vaccine Maitri initiative, distributing approximately 163 million vaccine doses to 96 countries between January 2021 and February 2022. This humanitarian effort demonstrated India’s commitment to supporting the Global South beyond rhetoric, focusing on tangible actions for collective welfare. The Vaccine Maitri programme exemplifies India’s proactive approach to addressing global challenges through collaboration and solidarity.
Challenges and Opportunities
While India has positioned itself as a leader of the Global South, it faces competition from China, which also seeks to influence the developing world. However, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been criticised for creating economic dependency and distress in participating countries. In contrast, India’s approach emphasises cooperation and mutual growth, fostering trust and partnership.
China’s BRI has faced backlash for its perceived predatory economic practices, leading to debt traps for many Global South countries. India prioritises partnerships based on equality and mutual benefits, enhancing its diplomatic appeal.
India’s proactive stance in international forums highlights its dedication to representing the Global South’s aspirations and challenges. Through initiatives like the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) treaty and Vaccine Maitri, India demonstrates its commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive global community.
The WIPO Treaty
The Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources, and Associated Traditional Knowledge was officially adopted at the Diplomatic Conference organised by the WIPO at its headquarters in Geneva. This significant event took place from May 13–24, 2024, marking the adoption of the 27th treaty under the WIPO and the first new treaty in over a decade. It is a testament to the growing influence of the Global South. It aims to protect traditional knowledge systems from misappropriation by developed nations and multinational corporations, ensuring that indigenous practices and innovations are respected and compensated fairly. This development signifies a shift towards recognising and valuing the contributions of developing countries in global intellectual property rights. The treaty empowers Global South countries to assert their rights and demand equitable treatment.
Evolution of the Indo-African Relationship
It has been observed that the Indo-African relationship has grown stronger. Under India’s leadership, Africa was added as the 21st member of the G-20 group. While engaging with the Global South, India focuses mainly on Africa.
Domains of cooperation between India-Africa amidst South-South Cooperation
Economic cooperation There has been an increment in India’s investment in Africa so that the economic growth of Africa can be enhanced, thereby leading to a decline in the poverty levels of the Global South. For instance, Focus Africa Programme conducted by EXIM Bank. Besides, in the last financial year, the Indo-African trade constituted US$ 100 billion.
At present, India accounts for US$ 32 billion as an investment in Africa. For example, ONGC Videsh has invested in Africa.
Political cooperation Amid South-South Cooperation, several powerful political institutions have been established owing to the modernisation and reorganisation of the principles of global governance on the 21st century. These include Build Back Better World (B3W), Asia Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC), etc.
Both India and Africa have given their consent on the expansion of the UNSC membership. India also extends its support to the Ezulwini Consensus. It has also participated in BRICS, ECOWAS, OIC, African Continental Free Trade Agreement, and other such regional organisations.
Security cooperation Security cooperation synergies are emphasised by both India and Africa on several issues, such as maritime security, HADR (Humanitarian and Disaster Relief), and checking piracy.
Climate change and technology cooperation The International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and other such organisations are responsible for Indo-African cooperation in the climate change domain. With these organisations, India’s technological power has touched the lands of Africa.
P2P cooperation Currently, a multitude of skilled personnel of India are employed at different economic sectors in Africa. These include healthcare employees, trained nurses, engineers, digital public infrastructure employees, etc.
Importance of Indo-African Relationship
Potential for Indian businesses Many opportunities are present in the service sector in Africa, such as banking, mobile payment systems, information technology (IT), and financial services.
Potential for economic growth The largest free trade area in the world could be formed in terms of geography by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Consequently, 30 million people could be raised out of poverty. Besides, Indo-African bilateral trade and investment could be facilitated.
Potential for infrastructure development India ranks third in the start-up ecosystem in the world. So, it can help in building up digital infrastructure in Africa, thereby facilitating the completion of Africa’s Agenda 2063.
Fulfilling common agendas As both India and Africa are developing nations, they face similar challenges and have common opinions on trade issues, climate change agreements, WTO negotiations, and reorganisation of the UNSC.
Potential for technological power India will gain in technological sector by facilitating growth in Africa, thereby becoming a leader in the Global South.
Issues in Indo-African Relationship
Increasing Chinese influence For the past couple of decades, China has provided Africa with the required finances and resources along with developing infrastructure in the countries of Africa. It has invested a huge amount of wealth and resources in Africa. Thus, India has little opportunity in geopolitical field.
No proper strategy by India No proper strategy has been formed by India for development cooperation in Africa in contrast to China. Besides, India does not have enough financial resources to do high investments in the African economy.
Increasing geopolitical contest Many countries of the world, such as China, the USA, Japan, Russia, and, the UAE are contesting with each other to have strong relations with Africa so that they get more political and economic power, energy security, access to African markets, etc.
Geopolitical tensions Geopolitical tensions have risen up among the aforementioned countries so that their position in the Indo-Pacific region is strengthened. Thus, India has diverted from its objective of building on Indo-African ties.
Racism Many cases of African nationals being targeted on the basis of racism have been reported in India, which has defamed India.
Conclusion
The recent developments in South-South Cooperation and India’s role within this framework reflect a broader shift in the global landscape. India’s leadership in various international forums signal a new era of assertive and collaborative engagement among developing countries. This evolution highlights the growing influence of the global south and sets the stage for a more equitable global order where the voices and contributions of traditionally marginalised nations are recognised and valued.
Considering the present scenario, India needs to work on strengthening its political and diplomatic cooperation with Africa by conducting leaders’ summits. It should take necessary steps to enhance project exports and cooperation in the shipping sector. Besides, it should facilitate Indo-African trade as well as socio-cultural cooperation between India and Africa.
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