India sees Africa as a key partner in its leadership role for developing countries. This focus on Africa stems from its economic potential, rising global influence, and young population, all aligning with India’s vision for a reformed global order.
Tags: GS- 2 Groupings & Agreements Involving India and/or Affecting India’s Interests– India and its Neighbourhood– Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India’s Interests
For Prelims: Global South, India-Africa Relations, Voice of Global South Summit, United Nation Security Council, Brandt Line, Group of 77, African Union, Horn of Africa.
For Mains: India’s Vision for the Global South, Prioritising Africa in its Global South Vision.
Context:
- India’s increased emphasis on Africa has been significant as it reflects India’s growing stature as a major global power, providing an opportunity to champion the interests of the Global South.
India’s Role in Empowering the Global South:
- Amplifying Voices: India positions itself as a voice for developing nations, ensuring their concerns are addressed on platforms like the G20. Initiatives like the “Voice of Global South Summit” provide a forum for developing countries to discuss shared challenges and advocate for their interests.
- Advocacy and Reform: This includes pushing for changes in areas such as international taxation and climate finance, as well as advocating for greater decision-making power for developing nations in bodies like the UN Security Council.
- South-South Cooperation: The India-UN Development Partnership Fund supports Southern-led sustainable development projects, with a focus on least developed countries and small island developing States.
- Climate Change Mitigation: Through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA), India promotes the adoption of renewable energy in countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, contributing to sustainable development and climate resilience.
What is Global South?
- Global South denotes a cluster of nations commonly identified as developing, less developed, or underdeveloped in terms of economic and social progress.
- Contrary to being strictly geographic, the term signifies a blend of political, geopolitical, and economic similarities among nations.
- It includes countries characterised by lower GDPs, elevated poverty rates, and underdeveloped infrastructure in comparison to counterparts in the “Global North.”
- These countries are primarily situated in regions such as Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Asia, excluding high-income nations like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
- The term Global South appears to have been first used in 1969 by political activist Carl Oglesby.
- The Brandt Line, introduced by former German Chancellor Willy Brandt in the 1980s, visually represents the global north-south economic divide using per-capita GDP as a measure.
- The Group of 77 (G-77) was established in 1964 during the first UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) session in Geneva, making it the largest intergovernmental organisation of developing nations at that time.
How can India Benefit from Prioritising Africa in its Global South Vision?
- Economic Potential:
- Africa emerges as a lucrative economic prospect for India, with Indian investments in the region reaching USD 98 billion in 2023 and bilateral trade hitting USD 100 billion. This underscores Africa’s significance as a pivotal market for Indian enterprises.
- Enhanced Strategic Ties:
- Africa’s escalating influence in international forums positions it as a strategic ally for India’s global ambitions. India’s advocacy for African representation in key platforms like the G20 and UNSC reflects a shared commitment to inclusive global governance.
- Diplomatic successes, such as the inclusion of the African Union (AU) in the G20 in September 2023, underscore India’s proactive approach in strengthening ties with Africa.
- Tapping Youthful Demographics:
- Africa’s predominantly young population, with 60% under the age of 25, offers vast potential for collaboration, particularly in education, technology, and innovation.
- Leveraging India’s expertise in skill development and education initiatives can empower African youth, driving sustainable development and fostering mutual growth.
- Potential Resource Collaboration:
- Africa’s abundant reservoirs of critical minerals essential for industries such as renewable energy and technology present a significant avenue for collaboration.
- India’s proficiency in sectors like renewable energy can synergize with Africa’s resource wealth to fuel innovation and sustainable progress.
- Stronger Geopolitical Influence:
- Strengthening partnerships with Africa elevates India’s geopolitical stature on the global platform, enabling a more influential role in shaping international governance.
- Enhanced ties with Africa provide a strategic counterbalance to China’s growing presence on the continent, particularly in regions like the Horn of Africa.
What are the Challenges for India as a Leader in the Global South?
- Internal Development Issues:
- Critics contend that India should prioritise resolving its internal development challenges, such as unequal wealth distribution, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure, before assuming leadership roles in global development initiatives.
- Concerns arise over the significant portion of India’s rural population lacking access to quality healthcare and education, raising doubts about its ability to effectively address similar issues in other developing nations.
- Diverse Needs and Priorities:
- The Global South comprises a diverse array of countries with varying needs and priorities, making it challenging to balance these divergent demands.
- While African nations may prioritise debt relief, Southeast Asian countries might focus on technology transfer. India must navigate these distinct needs while advocating for a unified front.
- Balancing Global Partnerships:
- India maintains robust economic ties with developed nations like the US and Japan, which may create tensions between advocating for the Global South and maintaining these crucial relationships.
- There is a risk that India may refrain from pushing for stricter trade regulations that could potentially harm its exports to developed countries.
- Credibility on Climate Change:
- Despite having low per capita CO2 emissions, India ranks as the world’s third-largest emitter of CO2. This weakens its credibility when advocating for stricter climate action within the Global South.
- India faces challenges in asserting its stance on climate change mitigation while balancing its economic development goals and environmental commitments.
Way Forward:
- Frugal Tech Innovation: India can harness its proficiency in frugal innovation by establishing laboratories dedicated to devising cost-effective, scalable technological solutions aimed at addressing prevalent challenges in the Global South, such as mobile health diagnostics or remote learning platforms.
- Rotating Leadership: Instead of advocating for a singular leadership model, India could advocate for the formation of a rotating leadership council comprising representatives from diverse regions within the Global South. This approach promotes a collaborative and inclusive ethos, ensuring varied perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.
- Global South Satellite Network: This satellite network would deliver crucial data and services to regions lacking conventional infrastructure and internet connectivity. Additionally, leveraging advanced satellite technology like RISAT can facilitate the creation of a swift disaster response network across the Global South.
- South-South Vocational Training Centers: Establishing vocational training centres in strategic locations throughout the Global South, India can offer skill development programs tailored to meet local demands. This initiative empowers individuals with the requisite skills to thrive in the labour market, thereby bolstering economic growth and productivity within their communities.
UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Prelims
Q:1 In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20? (2020)
(a) Argentina, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey
(b) Australia, Canada, Malaysia and New Zealand
(c) Brazil, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam
(d) Indonesia, Japan, Singapore and South Korea
Ans: (a)
Mains
Q:1 ‘The long-sustained image of India as a leader of the oppressed and marginalised nations has disappeared on account of its newfound role in the emerging global order.’ Elaborate. (2019)
FAQs on Africa in India’s Vision for the Global South
- Why is Africa important in India’s vision for the Global South?
India sees Africa as a key partner in the Global South, a term for developing countries with similar challenges. Africa has a young, growing population and vast natural resources, making it a crucial player in future development. India aims to build strong partnerships for mutual benefit in areas like trade, infrastructure, and technology.
- What specific areas of cooperation are India and Africa focusing on?
There’s a focus on collaborating in various sectors. This includes:
- Economic Development: India seeks to expand trade and investment ties with Africa, promoting technology transfer and infrastructure development projects.
- Agriculture: Sharing expertise in agricultural practices to improve food security in both regions.
- Healthcare: Cooperation in areas like disease control, pharmaceutical production, and medical education.
- Education: Knowledge sharing and student exchange programs to enhance educational opportunities.
- Isn’t this just another form of neocolonialism by India?
India emphasizes a partnership approach, focusing on mutual benefit and respecting African nations’ priorities. They promote South-South cooperation, a concept where developing countries collaborate based on shared experiences, rather than a traditional donor-recipient relationship.
- How will this vision impact Africa?
The focus is on building African capacity and fostering sustainable development. This could involve technology transfer, investments in infrastructure, and knowledge sharing in areas like agriculture and healthcare. Ideally, this will help African nations achieve their own development goals.
- What are the challenges to this vision?
There are potential hurdles. These include:
- Internal political instability in some African countries.
- Differing levels of development across the continent.
- Competition from other countries with interests in Africa.
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