Global South’s voice key to contemporary world’s progress: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic address to Ghana’s Parliament marks a pivotal moment in India’s diplomatic engagement with Africa and the Global South. It not only reflects India’s deepening ties with African nations but also highlights India’s broader strategic vision of reshaping global governance by amplifying the voice of the Global South in international forums.

Key Highlights of the Speech

1. Recognition of Global South’s Role:

• PM Modi emphasized that progress in the modern world is impossible without the inclusion of the Global South.

• He called for reforms in global governance structures to better represent developing nations.

2. Historic Honour:

• Modi was conferred Ghana’s highest civilian award, The Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, recognizing India-Ghana bilateral relations.

3. Global Challenges Highlighted:

• Climate change, pandemics, terrorism, and cybersecurity were cited as key 21st-century challenges.

• Modi warned that many colonial-era problems still exist in new forms, requiring collective resolve.

4. Global Governance Reforms:

• Stressed on the need for credible reform in multilateral institutions like the UN, WTO, and IMF.

• Celebrated the African Union’s permanent membership in G-20 under India’s presidency as a significant step.

5. India-Africa Solidarity:

• Quoted Ghana’s founding father Kwame Nkrumah to underscore deep historical and emotional ties.

• Reaffirmed India’s support for Africa’s development, stressing South-South cooperation.

6. Democracy and Parliamentary Diplomacy:

• Praised Ghana’s democratic institutions and lauded the formation of the Ghana-India Parliamentary Friendship Society.

Analytical Insights for Mains

1. India's Leadership in Global South

• India is positioning itself as the voice and leader of the Global South in the evolving world order.

• As seen in forums like the Voice of Global South Summit and the G-20 Presidency, India is advocating for a multipolar world with equal representation.

2. Reclaiming Moral Leadership Post-Decolonization

• India's solidarity with post-colonial nations like Ghana highlights shared struggles and common developmental aspirations.

• It reinforces India’s soft power diplomacy rooted in shared values of freedom, sovereignty, and inclusive growth.

3. Relevance of South-South Cooperation

• India’s development cooperation in Africa includes:

• Lines of Credit (LoC) under IDEAS scheme

• Capacity building through ITEC programme

• Digital public infrastructure and health initiatives

• This cooperation is a counter-narrative to Western aid, promoting mutual benefit over dependency.

4. Need for Reform in Global Institutions

• The current structure of global institutions fails to represent the interests of the Global South.

• India’s push for UNSC reforms and a restructured global financial order is in sync with the aspirations of many developing countries.

Way Forward

• India must continue to:

• Actively engage with African nations in trade, tech, and energy security.

• Promote democratic values and people-to-people ties in the Global South.

• Strategically align development partnerships with global governance advocacy.

• Multilateral platforms like IBSA, BRICS, and G-20 must be leveraged to institutionalize Global South representation in world affairs.

Conclusion

PM Modi’s speech in Ghana’s Parliament and his emphasis on the Global South reflects India’s aspirational leadership role in a changing global order. By championing inclusive development, democracy, and reform, India aims to build a more just, equitable, and multipolar world.

UPSCMainsPractice Question

Ques: Critically evaluate India’s role in reforming global governance institutions to accommodate the interests of the Global South. How far has India been successful in building consensus for such reforms? (250 Words)