In a recent interview with Diplomatist Magazine, Amb Manju Seth explored India’s evolving role as a prominent voice for the Global South, particularly in multilateral platforms like the United Nations and the G20. She highlighted India’s leadership in fostering South-South cooperation, enhancing regional security, and advocating for a fair global governance structure. Through various initiatives, from vaccine diplomacy to renewable energy advancements, India continues to champion sustainable development and equitable growth for developing nations.
How would you define India’s evolving role as a leader and voice for the Global South, especially in multilateral fora like the United Nations and G20?
As the Indian economy gathered pace and India became one of the major emerging economies it was in a position to have its voice heard and speak on behalf of the Global South. India’s development partnership projects in different developing countries have played a role in creating a positive image and India’s democratic credentials, its rise, development and commitment towards the collective upliftment of humanity have been appreciated and acknowledged by the countries of the Global South. India, as part of the Global South, voiced the concerns of the Global South at different fora, including at the United Nations and the G20. India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023 saw it convening the 1st virtual Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS) in January 2023, to ascertain views and concerns to be addressed at the G20 Summit meeting. India also succeeded in getting consensus from all G20 members to include the African Union in the G20. This was seen as a game changer and India’s role as the voice of the Global South was further strengthened. India hosted the 3rd virtual VOGSS in August 2024 with the theme of ‘An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future’ with a focus on collective efforts in addressing the challenges faced by developing countries in the current international environment. India proposed a Global Development Compact driven by a shared vision to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals of the Global South.
India’s diplomatic engagements, particularly in Africa and the Indian Ocean region have strengthened over the years. From your experience in Madagascar and Comoros, how do you see these relationships contributing to India’s role in the Global South?
India has a long history of diplomatic bilateral engagement with countries in Africa under the ITEC and the Development Partnership programmes. The relationship was made more broad-based with all of Africa and was upgraded to an India-Africa Summit level meeting in 2012 leading to concrete actionable outcomes across sectors and a large number of the proposals agreed on have been/ are being implemented. With Madagascar and Comoros, in particular, the relationship has strengthened in key areas of security and maritime security and similar collaborations with other countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and Africa including Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, etc. have given India a certain heft with India affirming its role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region through the SAGAR or Security and Growth For All vision. The idea is to safeguard the IOR from major power competition, protect the Blue Ocean Economy, and strengthen economic and maritime security, etc. with the countries in the IOR.
In your opinion, what key challenges do countries in the Global South face in having their voices heard on critical global issues like climate change, trade inequality, and health security? How is India addressing these challenges on behalf of the region?
Global organisations and key rule-making bodies and Financial Institutions have long been dominated by the developed countries of the global north and at various fora on climate change, trade inequity, health security, etc. it is observed that the agenda is set with a skewed outcome model and many regulations and decisions are pushed through without hearing all voices. India has been at the forefront of putting the spotlight on the iniquitous global financial and trade architecture and this was reflected at the various Conferences of the Parties or COP negotiations on climate change and at the G20 summit in India in 2023. Health security was in focus after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and India moved quickly to assist other countries with vaccines, equipment, medicines etc. to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic. On trade issues, India has also been pushing for an equitable outcome at the WTO and to ensure that developing countries are not disadvantaged by the invisible subsidies given by the developed world to facilitate fair and transparent trade.
South-South Cooperation is often emphasised as a vital tool for the development of the Global South. Could you elaborate on how India has been championing this model and the areas where it has made the most impact?
India has traditionally been a votary of South-South cooperation and has been happy to share its development journey with other developing countries and its approach has been to work with countries of the global south in a mutually beneficial manner. India’s Development Partnership programmes have been welcomed as they address the requirements of the partner countries and various projects are implemented on this basis. This has led to win-win outcomes creating goodwill and meeting the aspirational goals of countries. Some areas where India has made an impact include capacity building, infrastructure development, facilitating access to finance, education, health, agriculture and sustainable green growth.
India’s role in international organizations like BRICS and the India-Africa Forum Summit showcases a unique South-South approach. How do these platforms enable India to push for a more inclusive global governance structure?
India has strived to make international Financial Institutions and global governance structures more inclusive and equitable and its endeavour to enable this through the BRICS and the India-Africa Forum have led it to understand the challenges of globalisation with benefits being uneven and loaded against the global South. At the recent BRICS meeting in Kazan, India proposed a roadmap to correct imbalances and provide developing nations with more options through the expansion of platforms like BRICS; reforms of the UN system and the UNSC and Multilateral Development Banks as they are ill-equipped to address contemporary issues; the need for democratising the global economy through more manufacturing hubs and resilient supply chains. India’s views are that the colonial-era global infrastructure needs to be corrected through diversified connectivity options while ensuring territorial integrity and sovereignty; sharing of experiences was important including India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and the Unified Payment Interface (UPI) which would be transformative.
With the rise of new global challenges such as digital governance and cybersecurity, how do you see India’s leading efforts to ensure that the Global South is not left behind in this new digital era?
Digital Governance and Cyber Security pose complex challenges as AI and technology rapidly evolve. Amidst this churn, security threats have become potent and widespread with the increasing adoption of new technologies, the surge in online businesses and rising mobile smart device usage in both India and the Global South. Further, with the emergence of new tools, including AI, available to criminals, cyber security has become a grave threat to governments and the common people. While new technology contributes to growth and development it increases vulnerabilities to cyber attacks and frauds. India has expertise in this area with a fairly advanced cyber security infrastructure including a National Cyber Security Agency along with a Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In). India has a cyber security cooperation framework with a few countries and these need to be expanded to other countries in the global South, given their interest and requirements. In addition, with the very real possibility of cyber criminals being able to compromise or control the electronic systems of ships (both civil and naval), especially in the Indian Ocean region, collaboration with the IOR countries is vital. India has a certain level of expertise in digital governance and cyber security and has been active in sharing this with the global South for a mutually beneficial outcome.
India’s leadership in renewable energy, especially through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, is often seen as a game-changer for the Global South. Could you share your insights on how such initiatives contribute to sustainable development in these regions?
India’s commitment to renewable energy, climate action and sustainable growth led to the formation of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with France, with the mission to encourage the adoption of solar energy worldwide and achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based energy by 2030. With India leading the initiative, the ISA aims to enhance energy access and security and significantly reduce global carbon emissions including in the Global South. India’s role in the ISA and supporting the One Sun, One World, One Grid Solar projects initiative highlights its commitment to a greener future through supporting Africa’s energy transition, to provide clean reliable power to millions. Such projects contribute to a green cleaner planet and will lead to sustainable growth and development across the Global South.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the disparities in global healthcare. How has India’s role in vaccine diplomacy and its support for the Global South during this crisis reshaped global perceptions of its leadership?
India has been a major vaccine manufacturer contributing about 60% to the global vaccine supply and has been sometimes referred to as the pharmacy of the world. After the devastating COVID-19 pandemic of 2019/20 when India not only provided vaccines and other medical equipment for its citizens but sent equipment, medicines and COVID-19 vaccines to its neighbours and other countries across the world which was appreciated and burnished India’s position and changed existing perceptions about India and its leadership. The vaccine support to the countries, particularly in the Global South, who were literally left high and dry by the developed countries, was part of India’s endeavour to share expertise and vaccines and medicines with other countries in need rather than focussing inwards. This solidarity and collaboration by India helped mitigate the adverse impact of the crisis, with India being acknowledged as a responsible democracy and a key global player.
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