India’s Outreach to the Global South

Prelims: Current events of national and international importance

Why in news?

Recently Prime Minister’s is on a 9-day, 5-nation tour from July 1, 2025, covering Africa and South America.

• Prime Minister’s foreign visit – The foreign visit intended to strengthen India’s engagement with the Global South, economic partnerships, diaspora ties and participation in the BRICS Summit.
• Focus – To strengthen India’s strategic and economic footprint in Africa & South America.
• It reinforces India's leadership role in the Global South.

• It deepens ties with key resource-rich nations (lithium, oil, gold).
• It showcases India’s commitment to multilateralism and global governance reforms.

Key Countries and Highlights

• Ghana – It is the first bilateral visit by an Indian PM in three decades.
• Ghana is one of West Africa's fastest-growing economies.
• India is the largest destination for Ghanaian exports, mainly gold.
• Agenda of the visit – Strengthening ties in economy, energy, defence, development cooperation.
• Trinidad & Tobago (T&T) – First Indian PM visit to T&T since 1999.
• Large Indian diaspora – About 40-45% of Caribbean Indian diaspora lives here.
• It marks 180 years of Indian immigration to T&T.
• Bilateral trade (2024-25) – $341.61 million.
• Agenda of the visit – Cultural ties, economic cooperation.
• Argentina – First bilateral Indian PM visit in 57 years.
• Meeting with President Javier Milei, known for close ties with the US.
• In 2024 India was Argentina’s 5th-largest trading partner.
• Agenda of the visit – Defence, agriculture, mining, oil & gas, energy.
• Strong cooperation in lithium, crucial for India's green energy transition.
• Brazil – Attending BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

The 17^th BRICS Leaders' Summit is scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6^th to 7^th, 2025 and the theme is "Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”.

• Brazil is the India’s largest trading partner in South America.
• Agenda of the visit – Global governance reforms, Peace, security, multilateralism, AI regulation, climate action and global health.
• Namibia – PM Modi’s first visit to Namibia and 3^rd Indian PM visit overall.
• Trade with Namibia grew from $3 million in 2000 to $600 million currently.
• India’s investments in Namibia – Mining, diamond processing, manufacturing, services.
• Previously, India received eight cheetahs and relocated to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh in 2022.

Reference

The Indian Express| India’s Outreach to the Global South