On July 2, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his longest foreign trip to date - an eight-day tour across five countries, including Ghana, Trinidad and Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia. This trip spans three continents and is seen as a gesture of friendship towards Global South countries, highlighting India's desire to deepen diplomatic and economic relations with nations often overlooked in traditional diplomacy. However, despite the ambitious plan, its timing, depth, and long-term substance have raised questions.

The Global South is a loose group - mainly countries from Africa, Asia, and Latin America - more united by common post-colonial trajectories and economic aspirations than formal institutional alliances. India has long positioned itself as a defender of this group, especially since hosting the "Voices of the Global South" online summit in 2023. However, transitioning from ambitious leadership to delivering tangible results remains a formidable challenge.

Notably, the itinerary includes countries that rarely appear on its diplomatic map. In Ghana, Modi will propose a digital cooperation initiative and establish a vaccine manufacturing center. However, implementation remains a challenge in a region also being watched by China and the European Union.

Trinidad and Tobago presents a different scenario. Over 40% of the population is of Indian descent, descendants of indentured laborers during the colonial era. While cultural diplomacy will be showcased through Modi's speech to the parliament in Port of Spain, critics argue that a focus on the diaspora often lacks substantive follow-up in areas such as investment or technological cooperation.

In Argentina, India sees a rare opportunity to deepen bilateral relations with this lithium-rich country, crucial for global electric vehicle battery supply chains. Trade, mining, fintech, and defense cooperation are expected to dominate the agenda. However, political turbulence under President Javier Milei has raised doubts about the sustainability of this partnership.

The most notable stop on the trip is Brazil, where Modi will attend the 2025 BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro. BRICS has added six new members and is currently undergoing transformation. India supports reforms aimed at promoting trade in local currencies and expanding the voice of Global South countries in global institutions like the UN and WTO. However, internal shifts within BRICS, particularly China's growing confidence, may limit India's maneuverability.

The final stop, Namibia, symbolizes India's efforts to expand digital technology diplomacy and wildlife diplomacy. The launch of India's UPI digital payment system and renewed discussions on environmental protection illustrate how the country combines financial technology with environmental soft power. However, in a region where the African Continental Free Trade Area is making progress and global players are increasing digital investments, India's late entry brings both challenges and opportunities.

Although Modi's trip demonstrates ambition, India's development cooperation projects are still not large enough compared to China's Belt and Road Initiative. While India frequently issues various declarations, follow-up actions in infrastructure, trade facilitation, and capacity-building initiatives often lag behind. Emphasizing cultural ties and diaspora engagement is important, but critics warn that India's overreliance on symbolism is problematic without a long-term economic plan.

Furthermore, India's claim to represent the Global South is sometimes undermined by its domestic contradictions. Civil society groups in Africa and Latin America are increasingly noticing these issues, viewing development cooperation as a two-way relationship based not only on technology but also on values.

It is commendable that India is reaching out to countries long neglected by traditional diplomacy. This visit could lay the foundation for partnerships in critical minerals, digital public goods, vaccine production, and even climate governance. However, the true test will be the depth of institutions - whether India can sustain these efforts through trade agreements, research collaborations, and public-private partnerships.

This visit has also sparked speculation about "Modiism 3.0." "Modiism 3.0" is a new version of India's foreign policy, emphasizing solidarity with the Global South, technology-driven diplomacy, and reforming global governance. Whether this doctrine can be fulfilled and implemented after the summit remains an open question.

This article was published on the website of the American Foreign Policy Journal on July 2, titled "India Reaches Out to the Global South: Symbolic Solidarity or Strategic Shift?" by Professor Kashif Hassan Khan of the Alatau International University in Kyrgyzstan.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7523401602217148979/

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