[“Realities of the 21st century cannot be confronted by the 20th century Victor and Vanquished mindset”– Amb Anil Trigunayat]
On August 17, 2024, India hosted the third “Voice of the Global South Summit,” which saw participation from 123 nations. The summit concluded with several significant announcements.
In a recent commentary for India News Network, Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, a member of the Advisory Council of COGGS and Former Indian Envoy, talks about the shifting dynamics of global influence and the significance of collective action. Trigunayat argues that individual voices of the Global South are increasingly ineffectual in the contemporary geopolitics, where collective stances of Global South cannot be dismissed by those who traditionally shape and enforce international order.
Amb Trigunayat emphasizes that the realities of the 21st century require a departure from the outdated “Victor and Vanquished” mentality of the previous century. This antiquated approach, which is rooted in historical conflicts and power imbalances, fails to address the complexities of today’s global challenges. Instead, the emerging global order demands a more nuanced and cooperative approach to international relations.
Referring to the Global South, Amb Husain Haqqani and Aparna Pande of Hudson Institute in their opinion piece, writes, “In some ways, it is the latest incarnation of India’s leadership role in the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), which at its height during the Cold War comprised 120 countries.”
Former Indian Ambassador Dr. Mohan Kumar’s observations on the Global South underscore significant themes discussed at the Voice of the Global South Summit, particularly regarding climate change as well as energy transitions. Writing in Financial Express, Dr. Kumar suggests that the summit’s focus on a sustainable future emphasizes the pressing need for adequate climate finance and accessible technology to ensure that countries in the Global South can effectively address climate challenges.
In his opinion piece, Kumar points out that the Global South faces significant vulnerabilities to climate change, which threatens their development prospects and environmental stability. For these nations, the transition to sustainable energy and the broader fight against climate change are not just environmental issues but existential threats. Without substantial support in the form of climate finance and technology, these countries may struggle to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Looking ahead to the upcoming Conference of Parties (COP) in Azerbaijan this November, Amb Kumar suggests that the nations in the Global South summit might consider presenting a unified position. This joint submission could strengthen their collective voice in advocating for necessary financial and technological support from the global community. He asserts that the responsibility to address climate change extends beyond moral considerations to legal obligations, particularly for the world’s top CO2 emitters.
The Global South, with its diverse and vulnerable human as well as other resources, is becoming a focal point in geopolitical competition. Trigunayat notes that Global South is increasingly central to global power struggles, as various international actors vie for influence and alliances. The vulnerabilities of the Global South are not only a critical concern for these nations but also a key strategic interest for global powers seeking to expand their influence.
