Editorial 1: Common goals
Context
Prime Minister Modi’s outreach underscores India’s commitment to strengthening ties within the Global South.
Introduction
On his journey to the BRICS Summit in Brazil, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strategically visited Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina. These bilateral visits aimed at deepening ties in pharmaceuticals, critical minerals, digital cooperation, and food security, while reinforcing India’s leadership in the Global South and offering low-cost development solutions to address global inequities.
Prime Minister Modi’s Strategic Bilateral Visits En Route to BRICS Summit
- Countries Visited: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made sequential bilateral visits to Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, and Argentina on his way to Brazil for the BRICS summit.
- Purpose: The focus was on strengthening bilateral cooperation in key sectors such as:
- Pharmaceuticals and vaccines
- Digital technology
- Food security
- Critical minerals
Key Outcomes of Each Visit
- Ghana (Accra):
- India-Ghana ties were upgraded to a comprehensive partnership.
- India offered support to help Ghana emerge as a “vaccine hub” for West Africa.
- Trinidad and Tobago (Port of Spain):
- A major MoU on Indian pharmacopeia was signed.
- Aim: To improve access to quality and affordable generic medicines from India.
- Argentina (Buenos Aires):
- Discussions with President Javier Milei focused on:
- Cooperation on critical minerals
- India’s interest in Argentina’s shale gas and oil reserves
- Promotion of Indian pharmaceuticals in the Argentinian market
Commitment to the Global South
- All visited countries belong to the developing world or Global South.
- The onward travel to Brazil and Namibia reflects India’s active efforts in building:
- Alternative economic frameworks
- Reducing dependency on the developed world or Global North
India’s Global Partnerships and Low-Cost Solutions
- India is promoting cost-effective global solutions to shared challenges.
- Offers include support for India-led multilateral initiatives like the:
- Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
Diaspora Diplomacy and Cultural Connection
- In Port of Spain, PM Modi addressed the Indian diaspora, tracing back to 1845 when Indians were brought to the Caribbean by British colonial rulers.
- He recognized leaders of Indian origin such as:
- President Christine Carla Kangaloo
- Former PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar
- Stressed that the 35 million-strong Indian diaspora are India’s "pride".
Shared Historical and Political Legacy
- The visited countries share a colonial past under British, Spanish, Portuguese, or German rule.
- Several were part of or supported the Non-Aligned Movement.
- Common vision for:
- Strengthening South-South cooperation
- Advocating a more representative and just global order
India’s Multilateral Role and Aspirations
- India and Brazil were among the founders of:
- BRICS (with Russia, China)
- IBSA (with South Africa)
- Though not “anti-West”, these nations are:
- Seeking alternatives to the current global governance model
- Focused on creating systems that are more inclusive and equitable
Towards a Balanced Global Order
- The underlying theme of Modi’s 9-day tour is a shared aspiration to move beyond the existing global hierarchies.
- The emphasis is on a future world order that is:
- More equal
- More representative
- More sensitive to the developmental needs of the Global South.
Conclusion
PM Modi’s outreach reflects India’s ambition to reshape the global order through inclusive partnerships, especially with the Global South. By promoting South-South cooperation, leveraging diaspora diplomacy, and supporting alternative economic frameworks, India positions itself as a champion of a more representative, equitable, and development-sensitive world, distinct from the dominance of the Global North.