US driving India-China closer - Dr. Carlos Correa

The Executive Director of the South Centre Dr. Carlos Correa has observed that the current protectionist policies of the major western powers may paradoxically strengthen cooperation among developing countries, creating new opportunities for the 'Global South' to reshape the global economic order through strategic approaches and regional collaboration.

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Carlos Correa

Referring specifically to the confrontational US trade policies driving unexpected shifts among emerging economies, he noted that “The US is helping India and China to come closer, and if India and China work together, the global economy and politics could change dramatically.”

Dr. Correa, a leading authority on international trade, innovation, and intellectual property, made these observations during a recent visit to Sri Lanka to deliver the Centenary Gamani Corea Memorial Lecture, he participated in the inaugural RCSS (Regional Centre for Strategic Studies) Strategic Dialogue on the theme 'Research Priorities for the 'Global South' in Challenging Times'. Moderated by the Executive Director of the RCSS Amb. (Retd.) Ravinatha Aryasinha, it brought together serving and retired senior public servants, diplomats, academics, heads of research institutes and civil society representatives.

Dr. Correa observed that over the past 10 years South-South trade has expanded to around 40% of global trade, while substantial investments in science and technology amongst major states in the global south such as China, Brazil, and India - have also increased significantly. This shift represents a transition toward greater economic pluralism and regional agency, demanding systematic research and policy analysis. However, he identified two tensions that undermine effective scholarship: the challenge of balancing academic freedom with policy relevance, and also the distorting influence of donor-driven agendas, with foreign-funding dictating research parameters.