Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s July 2025 foreign tour, spanning Brazil, Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Namibia, marked India’s deepening engagement with the Global South. The visit — anchored around the 17th BRICS Summit in Brazil — reinforced India’s bid to emerge as a leading voice for developing nations.
🌍 India’s Emerging Role as a Global South Leader
1️⃣ Voice of the Global South Summits
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Hosted landmark summits in 2023 and 2024 with participation from over 120 developing nations
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Key themes: climate change, debt crisis, food & energy security, digital divide
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Cemented India’s role as the bridge between North and South
2️⃣ G20 Presidency (2023): A Diplomatic Milestone
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Prioritized inclusive growth and debt relief for poorer nations
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Secured African Union’s permanent G20 membership, boosting India’s Global South credentials
3️⃣ Expanding Development Partnerships
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Enhanced aid, training, and technology transfers across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia
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Positioned as a trusted development partner vis-à-vis China
4️⃣ Alternative to China’s BRI
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Promotes transparent, sustainable, and non-debt-heavy projects
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Gains traction among countries wary of China’s Belt and Road Initiative
5️⃣ Historical & Moral Alignment
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Draws on India’s legacy in the Non-Aligned Movement and anti-colonial solidarity
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Appeals to the shared aspirations of Global South nations
📌 What is the Global South?
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Refers to Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Oceania nations with shared colonial histories and relatively lower development
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Contrasts with the Global North (North America, Western Europe, Japan, etc.)
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Central to coalitions like BRICS, G77, and NAM
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Advocates for:
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Equitable trade
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Climate justice
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Technology access
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Multipolar world order
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⚠️ Diplomatic Friction: India’s Gaza Position
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India’s support for Israel post-October 7, 2023, attacks drew criticism from Global South nations
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Consequences:
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Loss to Pakistan for the UNESCO Executive Board vice-chair
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Reduced participation in the 2024 Voice of the Global South Summit
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Many viewed India’s silence on Israeli strikes as pro-West tilt, questioning its neutrality
🔄 Recalibrating Ties: Adjusting Israel Policy
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At BRICS foreign ministers’ meet (June 2024) and BRICS Summit (July 2025):
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India issued its strongest multilateral condemnation of Israeli actions in Gaza
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Criticized strikes on Iran, signaling a balanced stance
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Goal: Retain Global South goodwill while preserving strategic ties with Israel
🛡️ India’s Diplomatic Tightrope at BRICS
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Key Achievement: Secured a unified BRICS condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack, including cross-border terrorism — with China’s endorsement
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Challenge: Address skepticism over Operation Sindoor strikes in Pakistan
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Multi-party delegations dispatched to explain India’s counter-terror stance
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Compromise: Accepted softer language on Gaza and Iranian strikes in return for stronger anti-terror consensus
✅ Conclusion: India’s Balancing Act
India’s Global South strategy is a diplomatic tightrope:
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Leadership: Positioning as the voice of the Global South through inclusive platforms, aid, and transparent development
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Leverage: Using forums like BRICS and G20 to influence global governance
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Challenge: Balancing ties with Israel, Western partners, and Global South expectations
🔑 Takeaway: India’s credibility as a Global South leader will depend on its ability to combine principled diplomacy with strategic pragmatism in an increasingly multipolar world.