India's Rising Influence Leading the Global South's Agenda in a Multipolar World

Leading the Global South's Agenda in a Multipolar World

- By Dr. Ravi Shankar Raj

Introduction

India is now playing an unprecedented, central role in shaping the Global South in an era of rapid, tectonic shifts in the geopolitics of the 21st century. India's roles in pushing for more equitable global governance have been rising, with historical affiliations to post-colonial movements, a growing economy and building strategic projects. An attempt is made in this article to put forward India's contributions and strategies in leading the agenda of the Global South with its unique position as a bridge between the Global South and the North.

Historical Context of India's Global South Leadership

India has earned leadership within the Global South as a result of its anti-colonial historical participation in the movement and its important role in the Non-Aligned Movement. During the Cold War, NAM was established as a symbol of commitment to sovereignty, non-interference and equitable international relations. Under Jawaharlal Nehru, India played a leading role in theorising, arguing and practising the principles of non-alignment, in championing the voice of the Global South to overcome the hegemony of the Global North. First, the Bandung Conference of 1955 and later NAM summits prepared the terrain for India's pioneering cause in global affairs for the Global South. NAM's relevance today, just as a rapidly multipolar world emerges, remains, only to be supplemented with necessary structural adaptations to meet contemporary challenges.

India's Global South Leadership and Initiatives in the 21st Century

Voice of the Global South Summits