At the recent G7 Summit in Canada, India positioned itself as a key voice for the Global South, urging inclusive governance on technology and energy sustainability.
India is intensifying its engagement with the Global South across technology, energy, trade, digital public infrastructure, defence, and cultural diplomacy, marking a steady transition from aid recipient to global solution provider.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nine-day, nine-nation tour, which began on July 2, reinforces this shift, aimed at strengthening partnerships across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The visit follows days after his participation at the G7 Outreach Session in Kananaskis, Canada in June, where he positioned India as a voice for the Global South.
Speaking at the 51st G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy is a priority for India. He highlighted that AI is an energy-intensive technology and stressed the importance of renewable energy to meet the demands of a technology-driven society. Modi underscored that technology’s value lies in its benefits reaching everyone, with no one in the Global South left behind.
The Prime Minister reiterated that uncertainty and conflicts worldwide have severely affected the Global South, and India sees it as its duty to ensure their voice is heard on the global stage. He emphasized that for a sustainable future, the international community must understand the priorities and concerns of the Global South.
This marked his sixth consecutive G7 appearance, highlighting India’s increasing influence in global discussions.
As India emerges as the world’s fastest-growing economy and rising purchasing power expands its vast middle class, the West is increasingly recognising the country’s growing influence.
“In terms of Prime Minister Modi’s attendance at the G7, Prime Minister Modi has attended every G7 since 2018, which is a reflection of the size of the Indian economy, the dynamism of the Indian economy, Indian technology, the leadership position India plays in a host of venues from G20 and beyond,” says Mr. Carney at a press conference as the G7 Leaders’ Summit.
At the heart of India’s Global South outreach is the export of its Digital Public Infrastructure, including Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker, and Co-WIN, which has been recognised internationally for its affordability and adaptability. Countries such as Armenia, Suriname, and Sierra Leone have signed agreements to adopt these platforms, while broader efforts to certify and package these systems for global rollout are underway.
The Pan-African e-Network, operational since the early 2000s, has extended India’s digital footprint by providing telemedicine services and distance education to thousands across Africa. India’s deep-tech startups are also contributing to this effort, offering scalable, cost-effective solutions to address challenges in agriculture, education, climate resilience, healthcare, and clean energy.
Companies like DeHaat, Doubtnut, Bodhi AI, Kheyti, CarbonCraft, Theranautilus, and Log9 Materials are developing models that are already being piloted or adapted across Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Backed by over 3,600 active deep-tech firms and initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission, India is emerging as a key technology partner for the Global South.
Cultural diplomacy remains key to India’s Global South strategy, based on shared history with Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, and has been frequently emphasized by the Prime Minister and his team during their visits to these regions.
In 2024, India signed Cultural Exchange Programmes with 78 countries, including projects in Vietnam, Thailand, Egypt, Suriname, and Mozambique.
Inspired by the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family), India launched the Voice of Global South Summit in January 2023 to amplify the voices of developing nations. The summit aims to ensure their concerns are heard in global forums and reflects India’s commitment to a more inclusive and representative global order.
Energy and defence cooperation are expanding alongside these efforts. India is constructing solar plants in Sri Lanka, exploring cross-border electricity grid connectivity, and strengthening maritime partnerships with nations such as Maldives, Singapore, and Kuwait. Defence engagements include infrastructure development and joint military exercises across the Indian Ocean region.
Education and capacity-building projects also continue to be a focus, with India supporting IT training centres, scientific exchanges, and quick-impact development projects in countries such as Vietnam and Cambodia.
