Why in News?

• Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the disruptions caused by the corona virus pandemic and recent geopolitical conflicts call for a realignment of the world order.
• He said that the “Global South” can no longer be at the mercy of a few suppliers.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Global South (Meaning, Purpose, Challenges, India’s Leadership)
• News Summary

What is the Global South?

• The term ‘Global South’ began by loosely referring to those countries that were left out of the industrialisation era.
• These countries had a conflict of ideology with the capitalist and communist countries, accentuated by the Cold War.
• It includes countries that are in Asia, Africa and South America.
• ‘Global South’ is just the opposite of ‘Global North’, defined essentially by an economic division between the rich and poorer countries.

What are the Challenges before the Global South?

• The status-quo nature of global geopolitics got disrupted following the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent Ukraine-Russia War that is now in its second year.
• These paved the way for new challenges, including supply securitisation of food and energy, technology transfer, energy transition, and climate change issues and their impact on the global community.
• Securing Supply Chain –
  • The rise in energy costs and fertilizer prices also pose a substantial challenge to the Global South.
  • Hence there is a need to relook at how essential commodities can reach the Global South and there is a need for securitisation of the supply chain for the Global South is paramount.
• Adequate Energy Supply –
  • The second most important problem confronting the Global South in the context of energy security is ensuring a sustainable energy transition.
  • Since energy transition is a costly affair involving technology and finance, the countries of the Global South are the hardest hit in this regard.
  • The need of the hour is to ensure a sustainable energy transition which can bring overall socio-economic development to the countries of the Global South.
• Climate Change –
  • It is a fact that the countries of the Global South are facing the adversarial consequences of climate change largely due to the historical polluters of the Global North.
  • Hence there is a need to look at the process of climate change repercussions on the Global South from a broader perspective.
• Multilateralism –
  • The other important challenge in global geopolitics is in the form of the need for “genuine multilateralism” of the institutions of global governance, which will provide an equitable voice to all the countries.
  • There is a need to need to reform the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) along with other multilateral bodies to ensure equitable representation from the Global South.

India’s Approach to Global South:

• India’s rich history as the leader of the Non-Aligned Movement and its economic and geopolitical clout in global politics are propelling New Delhi to play a greater role in global geopolitics.
• Assuming the position of G-20 Presidency in 2022-23 is a testimony to this.
• At the same time, being the leader of the Global South, India provides a voice to the Global South Movement.
• Whether on the question of climate change, energy transition, taking a stand on normative issues or protecting the Global South's interest, India played a proactive role in international forums over the years.
• By giving voice to the Global South countries, India helped in bringing out an alternative narrative to global geopolitics.
• At various climate Summits, India resisted the onslaught from the Global North and protected the interest of the Global South be it on the question of climate financing, limiting the emission norms, or highlighting the Global North’s responsibility as the historical polluter.
• India has been the key player in the global energy transition discourses over the years.
  • Some of the significant contributions to the arena of energy transition framework are International Solar Alliance and the push to hydrogen-based fuel.
• India’s approach to global energy security as well as energy transition was aptly highlighted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the G-20 Summit in Bali in November 2022 where he underlined the need for “stability in the energy market”.
• Similarly, India’s approach to democratising international relations and reforming the United Nations has been consistent with the demand of the Global South over the years.
• India has provided the necessary leadership to the Global South and a new narrative to global geopolitics.

News Summary:

• Addressing the B20 Summit in New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar made a strong pitch for a more diversified and more democratic re-globalisation, saying the Global South can no longer be at the mercy of a few suppliers.
• He said the Global South was largely reduced to being a consumer rather than being a producer and could not reap the full benefits of economic change.
• He said the core mandate of G20 was to promote economic growth and development and it cannot advance if the crucial concerns of the Global South were not addressed.
• The minister said a more just, equitable and participative global order would only happen when there was commensurate investment, trade and technology decisions directed at the Global South.