3rd Voice of Global South Summit: India’s ‘Global Compact’
Kartavya Desk Staff
Syllabus: International Relations
Source: Indian News Network
Context: On August 17, India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS), proposing a ‘Global Development Compact’ to share its development experiences with other developing countries.
What is Global South?
The Global South includes countries often termed “developing” or “underdeveloped,” distinct from the richer Global North. The UN Conference on Trade and Development notes that Global South countries often face lower development levels, high income inequality, rapid population growth, and significant external dependence. According to the World Bank, the GDP of the Global South grew from 20% of world GDP in the 1970s-1990s to about 40% by 2012. The term Global South was first coined in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby.
What is ‘Global Compact’?
A Global Compact is an initiative that brings together countries or organizations to commit to shared goals and principles, often focusing on sustainable development, human rights, and global cooperation.
What is VOGSS?
The Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) unites Global South countries to share perspectives on issues aligned with the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.’ India hosted the 1st and 2nd VOGSS in January and November 2023.
Key Highlights of the 3rd VOGSS:
• Theme: “An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future.”
• Virtual Participation: 123 countries joined; China and Pakistan were not invited.
• Global Development Compact (GDC): India proposed the GDC to address development finance concerns, focusing on trade, sustainable growth, and technology sharing.
• Funding: India will launch a $2.5 million fund for trade promotion and a $1 million trade policy training fund for capacity building.
India’s Role in the Global South:
Aspect | Details
Integrating Factor | The Global South needs a central figure to unify its negotiation process.
India is a natural contender, actively fulfilling this role.
In January 2023, India hosted the 1st Voice of Global South Summit with 47 African, 29 Latin American and Caribbean, 31 Asian, 11 Oceania, and 7 European countries.
India’s Foreign Policy Principles | India’s history of non-alignment and recent actions, such as distributing COVID vaccines, being neutral in Russia-Ukraine war, Gaza war, etc., bolster its credibility.
India is seen as more credible than powers like the US and China in the Global South.
India’s Initiatives for global south | Social Impact Fund: India will contribute $25 million for accelerating Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in Global South.
Global South Young Diplomat Forum: Launched to promote education and capacity building.
Vision of Aarogya Maitri: One World-One Health is India’s mission for health security E.g. Jan Aushadhi Kendras’ in African and Pacific Island countries.
Bridge Between North and South | As a democracy with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds, India is well-placed to address equity and sovereignty concerns.
India can facilitate dialogue between the North and South.
Examples include India’s role in the Quad and adding the African Union to the G20 to represent developing nations’ concerns.
What is India’s Global South Vision?
India’s Global South Vision emphasizes fostering strategic partnerships with nations in the Southern Hemisphere, aiming for a more equitable and inclusive global order. It focuses on economic cooperation, multilateralism, and solidarity among developing countries to address common challenges and promote sustainable development.
Challenges Faced by the Global South:
• Outdated global governance and financial institutions.
• Technology divides between North and South.
• Ongoing threats from terrorism, extremism, and separatism.
Conclusion
In all, the energy and the environmental crisis as well as the geopolitical contestation will have a significant impact on the Global South.
Amidst this, India is in somewhat of a sweet spot to negotiate middle paths to these challenges. Therefore, it is likely that India will emerge as the definitive capital and voice of the Global South.
Insta Links:
• India’s Strategic Focus: Centering Africa in the Global South Vision
• India-Africa ties
Mains Link:
How does India see its place in the economic space of rising natural resource-rich Africa? (UPSC 2014)
Increasing interest of India in Africa has its pros and cons. Critically Examine. (UPSC 2015)
Prelims Link:
Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2016)
• The India-Africa Summit
• held in 2015 was the third such Summit
• was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: A