South-South Cooperation: India's Role in a New Era of Development Partnerships
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (The Global South, United Nations, ITEC, G-20, India's foreign policy); Indian Economy (Digital Public Infrastructure - DPI); Social Development (Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Important International institutions, agencies and fora—their structure, mandate. India's role as a leader of the Global South and the concept of South-South Cooperation are core IR topics.
Key Highlights from the News
In the context of global crises like climate change and geopolitical conflicts, South-South Cooperation is gaining importance.
India is a major proponent of this cooperation, exemplified by 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The world is one family), a core principle of India's foreign policy.
India's Key Contributions:
Hosted Voice of the Global South Summits.
Secured permanent membership for the African Union in G-20.
Provided training to over 160 countries through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program.
India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) like Aadhaar and UPI have served as models for the world.
India's successful models from domestic welfare schemes (e.g., PDS supply chain optimisation, rice fortification) can be replicated by other developing countries.
South-South Cooperation is not an alternative to traditional aid models (North-South cooperation), but rather a complement.
Triangular Cooperation is a method that connects developing countries with developed countries to share resources and expertise.
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