In an era where borders blur with climate crises, global health emergencies, and shared digital frontiers, an idea from ancient Indian philosophy gaining renewed relevance is VasudhaivaKutumbakam– the world is one family.
Rooted in India’s philosophy and culture, this ancient Sanskrit phrase has come a long way from the pages of Maha Upanishads to the rostrum of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and to being celebrated at India’ G20 Summit.
A Legacy That Connects: A Vision That Leads
Long before trade routes were mapped or global summits were born, India’s civilizational values travelled across oceans and deserts – carried by sages, scholars, sailors, and stories. From Sanskrit verses in Bali to carvings in Angkor Wat, India’s historical and civilisational connections extended far beyond its land borders, with the Indian Ocean playing a pivotal role in spreading culture through trade and maritime diplomacy.
But today, that legacy is being rewritten.
Culture as India’s Catalyst for the Global South
India’s engagement with the Global South is not transactional – it is transformational. Anchored in shared struggles, colonial histories, and the urgency of equitable progress, India champions a human-centric diplomacy with culture at its core.
At the forefront of strategic development, particularly in the Afro-Asian region – India has cultivated a strong sense of shared identity and purpose through its historical connections, driving collaborative efforts for sustainable development, economic growth, and cultural exchange within the Global South. The integration of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 in September 2023 exemplifies India’s strategy to enhance representation for Africa -home to 1.48 billion people – in global cooperation, aside from South Africa, which has long been a G20 member.
A growing cultural influence across this region has been instrumental in shaping robust socio-economic ties with the Global South. India’s trade with Africa has grown from US$68.5 billion in 2011–12 to US$98 billion in 2023. In 2024, a report estimated that India-Australia bilateral trade (in goods and services) has crossed USD 48 billion, and it’s expected to double to nearly USD 100 billion in the next five years. Last year, trade with the ASEAN countries amounted to over USD 131 billion, reflecting growing strong economic ties.
Establishing the Indian Cultural Council Research (ICCR) way back in 1950 was a significant step in broadening India’s foreign policy beyond its immediate neighbours and focusing on building strategic partnerships with Africa and Latin America, both critical for South-South Cooperation. Whether it’s the current ICCR’s network of 30+ cultural centres, the success of the ‘Incredible India’ campaign, or co-creating heritage circuits like the Ramayana Trail across South and Southeast Asia – India understands that shared culture builds shared futures.
In today’s world, where development often comes at the cost of displacement or ecological loss, cultural identity is not a side conversation-it’s central to survival. Across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, Indigenous and local communities are grappling with the existential cost of climate change: not just loss of land, but loss of legacy.
India has taken a stand. It sees culture not just as an expression, but as a tool for adaptation and resilience. Whether it’s advocating for equity in climate negotiations under the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities” or supporting sustainable development through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund, India is helping rewrite what solidarity looks like in the 21st century.A prime example here is India’s proactive involvement in triangular cooperation, which resulted in the creation of the India-UN Development Partnership Fund in 2017, which aims to support sustainable development initiatives driven by the South in the least developed countries (LDCs).
By leveraging its commitment to expand development through a cultural lens, India has also created a space for advancing tourism to yield business and strategic partnerships. The bus services between Janakpur (Nepal) and Ayodhya (UP) as part of promoting the Ramayana Circuit, which aims to develop historic places associated with Lord Ram and Sita’s stories, is a testament to it. Even today, the Ramayana remains an important part of the culture of many Southeast Asian countries-from Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand in Asia to Guyana in South America and Mauritius in Africa-creating a link of common tourism culture. The ‘Incredible India’ campaign has been a massive hit in this regard, and as per data, in 2023, India attracted approximately 20 million tourists globally.
Learning Together, Growing Together
India’s idea of partnership is about co-creation. Since 2014, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), has offered close to 100,000 world-class capacity-building training and scholarships to participants from developing countries at premier institutions in the country, along with a chance to experience its culture and hospitality.
Viksit Bharat 2047 embodies India’s goal to evolve into a developed nation by its centenary of independence in 2047. With initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), Sabka Saath, and NARA, India is steadily carving out a leadership role that doesn’t impose – it inspires. Its unique civilizational ethos, powered by democratic values and pluralistic traditions, positions it as a voice of trust for the Global South.India’s G20 presidency, recognised culture globally for the first time as a standalone pillar for achieving the SDGs. The Kashi Culture Pathway is not just symbolic-it signals that culture is infrastructure for sustainable development, human dignity, and inclusion.
Blending ancient wisdom with modern aspirations, India seeks to offer unique perspectives on addressing global challenges, positioning itself as a bridge between diverse world views and a champion of inclusive global progress. It is, therefore, no wonder that it walks the talk for south-south collaboration.Because for India, VasudhaivaKutumbakam isn’t just philosophy. It’s a vision of inclusive foreign policy.
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