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Mains Daily Question
Oct. 31, 2023

Q3. What do you mean by the term “Global South”? Exploring its significance for India, explain India's efforts to emerge as the leader of the global South? (10M, 150W)

Model Answer

Approach:

Introduction: You can define the term Global South in brief and also you can write the significance in brief.

Body: Heading 1. Explain its significance for India and 

Heading 2: Mention the steps taken in this regard. You can also use the world map diagram for value addition.

Conclusion: You can write a broad way forward for India or you can quote statements of prominent leader in this context.

 

Answer: The term “Global South” refers to countries that are economically and socially less developed in comparison to the more developed “Global North.” These nations typically experience higher levels of poverty, income inequality, and challenging living conditions compared to the Global North. Examples include India, Brazil, Nigeria, and Indonesia.

 

Value addition:

Significance of Global South


  • Demographic Strength and Market Potential: It holds over 80% of the world's population with over 90% of the world's youth, presenting a vast consumer market and a significant labor force.
  • Economic Power Shift: World Bank projections suggest that by 2030, three of the world's four largest economies will be in Global South nations, led by China and India.
  • Geopolitical Impact: Increasing Involvement in decision-making processes in organisations like G20, BRICS, SCO, Quad, the Indo-Pacific Economic Forum etc.
  • Resource Abundance: It has 70% of global oil reserves and a substantial proportion of vital minerals and metals potentially shaping global supply chains and energy markets.
    • For example, Lithium Triangle in Latin America constitutes 55% of global Lithium reserves.
  • Climate Change Impacts: The Global South is disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change, bearing over 80% of the total global burden.

 

Significance for India

 

  • Showcasing Global Leadership: India's leadership offers a platform to show its ability to raise the nation's global standing.

 

      • Advocating for inclusive global governance, India takes a stand as a representative of the interests of Global South. 
      • PM Modi vouching for reforms to make climate governance more inclusive and launching initiatives like CDRI shows it’s commitment to a more balanced  world order.

 

  • Countering China: It is important to counter China’s geopolitical ambitions of leading Global South to forever maintain its developing economy status and garner support in case of confrontation with the West.
  • Diverse Diplomatic Alliances: Leading the Global South allows India to create alliances to diversify its diplomatic ties. This also helps countries to avoid being caught between Chinese dominance and Western patronage.
  • Safeguarding Multilateral Cooperation: India provides a platform for collective dialogue to be the savior of potential breakdown in multilateral cooperation in institutions like WTO, UN bodies etc.

 

 

India's efforts to emerge as the leader of the Global South

 

  • Health and Disaster diplomacy:

 

      • Vaccine Maitri Programme: To address the Covid-19 Crisis wherein India supplied vaccines to nearly 150 countries demonstrating solidarity and support.
      • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Steps like Operation Maitri, undertaken to deal with the earthquake in Nepal; Food aid in Afghanistan during Taliban takeover, HADR support during Turkey Earthquake.

 

  • Development cooperation:

 

      • Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Programme (ITEC): providing financial and technological support for collaborative development projects in economically challenged countries.
      • International Taxation Event with South Centre: India collaborated with South Centre to host an event to discuss the implications of tax policies on developing economies.

 

  • Diplomatic efforts:

 

      • Voice of Global South Summit: India hosted a summit with representatives from 125 countries, providing a platform to address critical concerns of the developing world.
      • Promoting Historical Solidarity: PM Modi highlighted the historical struggle against colonialism and apartheid during the 15th BRICS Summit, underlining the importance of solidarity among the Global South.

 

  • Global Forum Engagement:

 

    • BRICS Expansion for Inclusivity: India supported the expansion of BRICS, welcoming developing countries and enhancing competitiveness in global forums.
    • Inclusive G7 Summit Participation: India ensured that the interests and perspectives of the Global South were prominently featured at the G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
    • African Union as G20 Member: India advocated for the inclusion of the African Union as a full member of the G20, promoting  diversity and inclusivity in global decision-making.

 

EAM S Jaishankar while discussing current global conflicts said, “polarisation may occur elsewhere, the people who suffer most are the Global South”. As the Global South gains prominence, it is causing a transformative shift in global geopolitics. In order to emerge as a Vishwa Guru, close cooperation with Global South based on cooperation, consultation and mutual trust will be the suitable way forward.

Subjects : Current Affairs
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