India & The Global South

Relic Argument: Born in Cold War bipolarity, its primary purpose (avoiding superpower blocs) is obsolete. Internal divisions, lack of strong leadership, and limited enforcement power.

Relevant Argument (India's View):

• New Great Power Competition: Offers a platform for states to maintain strategic autonomy amidst US-China rivalry.
• Persistent North-South Divide: Addresses continued global inequalities (economic, technological, climate justice, debt).
• Global Governance Reform: Provides a collective voice for reforming outdated international institutions (UNSC, BWIs) to make them more representative.
• Transnational Challenges: Offers a forum for cooperation on non-traditional threats (terrorism, climate change, pandemics) that disproportionately affect developing nations.
• Strategic Autonomy: For India, NAM provides a historical and diplomatic framework for its contemporary strategic autonomy and multi-alignment.

Conclusion: While no longer a unified political bloc, NAM remains a significant platform for the Global South to assert its collective interests, promote strategic autonomy, and advocate for a more equitable global order in an increasingly complex and multipolar world.

Definition: South-South Cooperation (SSC) is collaboration among developing countries, based on solidarity, non-interference, and mutual benefit, contrasting with traditional North-South aid.

India's Approach (Distinct Features):

• Demand-Driven: Projects and programs are based on the needs and priorities of partner countries, rather than donor-driven agendas.
• Capacity Building: Strong emphasis on human resource development through ITEC, scholarships, and vocational training, empowering local populations.
• Inclusive & Transparent: Focus on mutually beneficial partnerships with less conditionalities compared to traditional aid.
• Technology Transfer: Sharing expertise in IT, pharmaceuticals (generic drugs), agriculture, and renewable energy.
• LoCs & Grants: Financial assistance for infrastructure and development projects, often concessional.

Contrast with China's Model: India's SSC model contrasts with China's large-scale, often debt-creating, infrastructure projects (BRI) that sometimes use Chinese labor. India emphasizes local empowerment, transparency, and sustainable development.

Impact: Builds genuine goodwill, enhances India's soft power, creates markets for Indian goods/services, and strengthens its diplomatic leverage as a responsible global actor.

Conclusion: India's SSC model offers a unique and sustainable approach to global development. It positions India as a trusted partner and a leader in fostering inclusive growth, distinct from traditional aid paradigms.

Context: The Global South continues to face systemic disadvantages in the global economic and environmental order, pushing for reforms.

India's Advocacy:

• WTO: Championing the interests of developing countries on agriculture (public stockholding, peace clause), special and differential treatment (S&DT), and countering protectionist measures. India's leadership in the Doha Round development agenda.
• Climate Change: Strong advocacy for CBDR-RC, climate justice, adequate climate finance, and technology transfer from developed nations. India played a key role in operationalizing the Loss and Damage Fund.
• MDB Reform: Pushing for reforms in the IMF and World Bank to reflect the growing economic weight and voice of emerging economies.

Global South Summit (2023): India's initiative to host this summit further cemented its role as a convener and amplifier of the Global South's collective voice, directly influencing its G20 Presidency agenda.

G20 Presidency (2023): India's successful push for the African Union's permanent membership in the G20 exemplified its commitment to making global governance more inclusive and representative of the Global South.

Conclusion: India has consistently been and remains a prominent voice for the Global South, actively shaping global norms and advocating for a fairer, more equitable, and just international order in economic and environmental forums. This leadership position is crucial for its global aspirations.

In the context of geopolitics, which of the following organizations has recently become a permanent member of the G20, largely due to India's advocacy?

(a) African Development Bank

(b) African Union (AU)

(c) East African Community (EAC)

(d) Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)

With reference to the "Quad", consider the following statements:

1. It is a strategic security dialogue between India, Japan, South Korea and the United States.
2. It aims to promote a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" region.

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

'Doha Development Round' of the WTO talks stalled due to differences between:

(a) Developed and Developing Countries

(b) Developed and Least Developed Countries

(c) Developed Countries and BRICS Countries

(d) Major trading blocs (e.g., EU and NAFTA)

"The present global wave of terrorism is a result of globalization. Critically analyse." (15 Marks)

Direction:

• While on terrorism, it speaks to general globalization. The Global South is often disproportionately affected by its negative consequences.

"The global order is rapidly shifting from a unipolar to a multipolar world." Discuss the implications of this shift for India's foreign policy. (15 Marks)

Direction:

• India's leadership of the Global South (NAM, BRICS, Global South Summit) is a key aspect of its foreign policy in a multipolar world, creating new avenues for influence and challenging existing power structures.

"India's foreign policy is best understood through the lens of strategic autonomy, which blends elements of both realism and liberalism." Discuss. (15 Marks)

Direction:

• India's leadership of the Global South (liberal, value-based approach) while also pursuing its national interests (realism) exemplifies its strategic autonomy. Its engagement in BRICS (balancing Western dominance) fits this.

The "Global South Summit", recently hosted by India, was primarily aimed at:

(a) Forming a new military alliance of developing countries.

(b) Facilitating discussions among leaders from 125 countries of the Global South to articulate their priorities.

(c) Establishing a common currency for South-South trade.

(d) Promoting developed countries' investments in the Global South.

Which of the following principles is consistently advocated by India in international climate change negotiations, emphasizing the differing historical responsibilities and capacities of nations?

(a) Net Zero Emissions by all countries by 2050

(b) Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC)

(c) Global Carbon Tax for all polluters

(d) Mandatory climate finance contributions from all developing countries

"India's leadership of the Global South is a cornerstone of its foreign policy, marked by a distinct model of South-South Cooperation that sets it apart from traditional development aid. Discuss the key features of India's development partnerships and critically analyze their impact on enhancing India's global influence and soft power." (15 Marks)

Key Points/Structure:

• Introduction: Position India as a historical and contemporary leader of the Global South. Highlight its distinct development cooperation model.
• Key Features of India's Development Partnerships (South-South Cooperation):
  • Demand-Driven, Capacity Building, Inclusive & Transparent, Technology Transfer, Mutual Benefit.
• Impact on Enhancing India's Global Influence and Soft Power:
  • Goodwill & Trust, "Pharmacy of the World", Democratic Model, Cultural Exchange, Diplomatic Leverage, Alternative Model.
• Conclusion: India's South-South Cooperation model is a powerful instrument of its foreign policy, embodying its commitment to solidarity and sustainable development. By prioritizing capacity building and mutual respect, it effectively enhances India's global influence and soft power, cementing its aspirations for a leading role in a more equitable and inclusive world order.

"The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), though a relic of the Cold War, has found renewed relevance in a multipolar world grappling with new forms of geopolitical competition and global challenges. Critically analyze NAM's evolving role and India's approach to its continued engagement with the movement." (20 Marks)

Key Points/Structure:

• Introduction: Define NAM (Cold War origins, non-alignment to blocs). Acknowledge arguments for its obsolescence but assert its evolving relevance.
• Arguments for NAM's Obsolescence (Relic):
  • End of Bipolarity, Internal Divisions, Lack of Enforcement Power, Rise of Multi-alignment.
• Arguments for NAM's Renewed Relevance:
  • New Great Power Competition, Persistent North-South Divide, Global Governance Reform, Transnational Challenges, Shared Vulnerabilities.
• India's Approach to NAM:
  • Founding Principle, Strategic Autonomy, Multi-alignment, Selective Engagement, Amplifying Voice.
• Conclusion: While NAM may no longer be the central pillar of India's foreign policy, its foundational principles of strategic autonomy and solidarity with the Global South remain deeply relevant. In an an increasingly complex multipolar world, NAM offers a unique platform for developing nations to collectively assert their agency and advocate for a more just and equitable international order.