Over the previous 12 months, Modi's international journeys, particularly to international locations throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, look like a part of a broader plan.
A plan the place India is quietly positioning itself because the main voice of the International South and, maybe, shaping a substitute for the standard West-led international order.
Since August 2024, Modi has visited over 20 international locations. Whereas some visits had been to main powers just like the US, Russia, and France, the majority of his journey map covers International South nations: Ghana, Guyana, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Laos, Brunei, Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Namibia, and Thailand, amongst others. The message? India is deepening its engagement with international locations that always really feel underrepresented in international decision-making.
Ghana to Guyana: Deeds, not simply declarations
In July 2025, Modi turned the primary Indian PM in 30 years to go to Ghana. Throughout the journey, India and Ghana introduced a “complete partnership” specializing in defence, commerce, counter-terrorism, and digital cooperation. Modi pledged to double bilateral commerce from $3 billion to $6 billion and was awarded Ghana's highest civilian honour.
He additionally thanked Ghana for standing with India after the Pahalgam terror assault and reiterated India's dedication to “voicing issues of the International South.” It is a line he's used usually, and with rising intent.In Guyana, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka too, India has constructed partnerships by tech cooperation, vaccine help, coaching programmes, and digital fee infrastructure. This isn't charity, it's technique.In Trinidad as effectively, this was Modi's first go to to the nation as Prime Minister, and the primary Indian bilateral go to on the prime ministerial stage to Trinidad and Tobago since 1999.
What's the International South?
The time period broadly refers to creating international locations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, nations that share post-colonial experiences, financial challenges, and a want for extra affect in international governance. India, with its fast-growing economic system and diplomatic bandwidth, sees itself as a pure chief of this bloc.
In actual fact, again in January 2023, India hosted the inaugural Voice of International South Summit with the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Goal.” Modi has invoked that phrase repeatedly ever since. And through his 2024 UNGA speech in New York, he declared, “We're additionally a powerful voice of the International South. Right this moment, when India says one thing on a world platform, the world listens.”
In Ghana, he added, “Progress can not come with out giving voice to the International South.”
India: Greater than a bridge
For many years, India positioned itself as a bridge between developed and creating nations. However the current sample, over 12 International South international locations visited in beneath a 12 months, alerts a shift from bridging gaps to constructing blocs.
India's choices transcend diplomacy. From UPI tech and cybersecurity help to training and healthcare coaching, these partnerships are designed to create long-term strategic alignment. It's India's comfortable energy fused with exhausting pursuits, defence offers, counter-terrorism cooperation, and commerce growth.
NAM 2.0, with India on the helm?
Whereas Modi hasn't revived the Non-Aligned Motion in identify, his actions evoke echoes of that period, minus the Chilly Warfare context. As an alternative of selecting sides, India seems to be constructing one: a free coalition of rising economies in search of a fairer, extra consultant international system.
In a world the place post-WWII establishments more and more really feel outdated, India is positioning itself as a reformer, and maybe a frontrunner, of a brand new, post-West world order.
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