PAVING THE THIRD WAY

THE COUNTRIES IN GLOBAL SOUTH ARE DISUNITED DESPITE COMMON HISTORY AND DESTINY

- DK Giri

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited five countries en route to attend the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. These visits broke many new grounds.

The countries he visited - Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia - were all former colonies of Britain, Spain, Germany and Portugal. Significantly, in the current geopolitical scenario, whilst America and China are flexing their military and economic muscles to gain influence world over, these countries have tried to remain independent of the power blocs.

Strategically, Modi may be offering a third way by inviting these countries to 'grow together' as partners and seek 'security through solidarity'. He said that the power and value of a country do not manifest only through military mind or market size but in promoting inclusivity, cooperation and trust. The reference is obvious, that is, to America and China. There is hardly any debate on India's commitment to the Global South. Modi's visit to these countries heavily reflected this. He himself asserted that India has been concerned about the conditions of exploitation and discrimination of Global South. New Delhi sought to create an equal world where Global South has a voice and space. Modi promised to give a 'new form' to BRICS under its leadership that is passed on from the current Chair, Brazil. Will he succeed in transforming BRICS as he did to G20? Remember, BRICS is largely controlled by Sino-Russian axis.