Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Mauritius and the unveiling of the Mahasagar initiative represent a pivotal moment in India’s foreign policy, specifically its efforts to assert itself as a key player within the Global South. Through this initiative, India aims to strengthen its vision for a more inclusive, cooperative, and multipolar world order where the voices of developing nations, particularly in the Global South, hold weight. However, India’s aspirations are encumbered by a myriad of challenges, both domestic and international, that may undermine its capacity to fulfill Modi’s vision of asserting itself as a dominant leader of the Global South.
The Mahasagar Initiative: A New Vision for the Global South
The Mahasagar initiative, an extension of India’s previous SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine, seeks to establish robust frameworks for cooperation among countries in the Global South. The term “Mahasagar,” meaning “Great Ocean,” symbolizes India’s goal to bridge diverse regions through a shared commitment to security, trade, sustainable development, and technological exchange.
The Mahasagar initiative focuses on three key priorities. Trade for Development promotes equitable trade relations that benefit all nations, with an emphasis on technology-sharing and capacity-building to foster long-term growth, particularly for countries in the Global South. Mutual Security emphasizes collective efforts to combat threats like terrorism, organized crime, and maritime insecurity. Through enhanced defense cooperation, India aims to strengthen security in the Indian Ocean region and beyond, ensuring peace and stability. Lastly, Sustainable Development is a core focus, with India supporting the Global South through technology transfer and capacity-building in renewable energy and green technologies. India also offers concessional finance for development projects aligned with sustainability goals, helping nations reduce their environmental footprint while promoting growth.
India’s Intentions for Leading the Global South
India’s desire to expand its leadership role within the Global South is driven by broader geopolitical and economic objectives. As a rapidly growing economy and a prominent global player, India seeks to increase its influence among developing nations. Key goals of India’s engagement with the Global South include:
Global Governance Reform: India has long advocated for a multipolar world order and called for reforms in global institutions like the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Trade Organization (WTO). India’s aim is to amplify the voice of developing countries in global decision-making, particularly as they grapple with challenges like climate change, economic inequality, and social instability.
Alternative Development Models: India offers a development model that emphasizes democratic governance, inclusive social policies, and sustainable economic growth. In contrast to China’s approach—focused on large infrastructure projects funded by loans—India promotes equitable partnerships and technology-sharing. This approach helps avoid the debt-trap diplomacy that has raised concerns about China’s growing influence in the Global South.
Regional Stability and Security: Given its rising regional security concerns, especially regarding maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), India seeks to take the lead in ensuring regional stability. Through defense cooperation, capacity-building, and security frameworks, India aims to enhance both its own security and that of its neighbors. The Mahasagar initiative includes plans for maritime domain awareness, security partnerships, and defense collaborations.
Challenges India Faces at Home
Despite its aspirations on the global stage, India faces several internal challenges that could impede its ability to lead the Global South effectively. These include:
Economic Inequality: India remains home to a large proportion of the world’s poor, with significant disparities in wealth and access to basic services like healthcare, education, and employment. The gap between urban centers and rural areas is widening, and issues such as unemployment and poverty persist. These internal disparities may undermine India’s credibility as a model for inclusive development as it seeks to lead the Global South.
Religious and Ethnic Tensions: India’s growing focus on Hindutva, a form of Hindu nationalism, has raised concerns both domestically and internationally. Religious intolerance and ethnic divisions within India could weaken its appeal to a diverse Global South, especially in nations that value multiculturalism and religious pluralism. Ongoing communal violence and human rights issues further complicate India’s ability to serve as a moral leader for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
Political Instability: Internal political tensions, including disputes over Kashmir, farmers’ protests, and regional dynamics, could detract from India’s image as a stable and reliable leader. Despite being a democracy, political instability within India may limit its effectiveness as a global partner for the Global South.
Challenges from Other Global South Players
India’s ambitions to lead the Global South also face significant competition from other influential nations, particularly China. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has built strong ties with countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia by funding large-scale infrastructure projects in sectors such as energy, ports, and railways. While these investments have provided essential capital for many nations, they have often come with the burden of increased debt.
India’s challenge will be to offer an alternative to China’s expanding influence—one based on sustainability, democratic principles, and equitable development. While China boasts vast financial resources and infrastructure expertise, India can differentiate itself by promoting development models that prioritize people-centered growth, technology transfer, and capacity-building, all without the high-interest loans that can lead to debt dependency.
Additionally, regional players like Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia also influence the direction of the Global South. These nations have their own geopolitical and economic goals, meaning India must build broad coalitions to align with its vision for the Global South.
Conclusion: India’s Strategic Role in the Global South
The Mahasagar initiative represents India’s ambitious bid to position itself as a leader in the Global South, emphasizing cooperation, security, sustainable development, and technology-sharing. While the initiative offers an alternative to China’s growing influence, India must confront a series of domestic challenges—ranging from economic inequality and religious tensions to political instability—in order to strengthen its standing as a global leader.
As India seeks to navigate its role on the global stage, its leadership in the Global South will depend on balancing internal reforms with external partnerships. By fostering equitable and mutually beneficial collaborations, India’s vision for a multipolar world order holds the potential to reshape the future of developing nations. However, its success hinges on overcoming its internal challenges and forging sustainable, inclusive alliances with other key players in the Global South.
