India and the Rise of the Global South: Is New Delhi Shaping a New Strategic Order?
- Manoj Ambat
- 7 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The global political system is undergoing one of its most significant transformations since the end of the Cold War. The unipolar moment dominated by Western powers is gradually giving way to a more fragmented and multipolar environment. Emerging economies are asserting their autonomy, regional powers are reshaping alliances, and traditional institutions are facing increasing pressure to adapt.
At the center of this transformation stands India — a nation that has steadily expanded its diplomatic influence while carefully avoiding rigid alliance structures.
In recent years, analysts and policymakers have begun asking a critical question: is India building a new strategic bloc among Global South nations, or is it pursuing an entirely different geopolitical model?
Unlike traditional alliance-building powers, India appears to be crafting a flexible network of partnerships rather than a centralized bloc. This approach reflects both historical continuity and modern strategic innovation.
To understand this evolving strategy, we must examine India’s historical positioning, contemporary diplomatic initiatives, and long-term geopolitical ambitions.
From Non-Alignment to Strategic Autonomy
India’s foreign policy tradition provides essential context for its current Global South outreach.
During the Cold War, India emerged as one of the principal leaders of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). While often misunderstood as neutrality, non-alignment was fundamentally about preserving decision-making independence between competing superpowers.
This philosophy allowed India to engage with both Western and Soviet blocs while maintaining sovereign control over its strategic choices.
Today, policymakers describe this doctrine as “strategic autonomy.”
The terminology has evolved, but the underlying logic remains consistent:
Avoid exclusive dependence on any single_toggle power.
Maintain flexibility in international partnerships.
Maximize national interest through diversified relationships
.
India’s modern diplomatic engagements — including participation in Western-led frameworks like the Quad alongside involvement in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation — demonstrate this multidirectional approach.
Strategic autonomy is not indecision; it is deliberate balancing.
The Revival of the Global South Concept
The Global South has re-emerged as a powerful geopolitical identity.
Historically used to describe developing countries with shared economic challenges, the term is increasingly becoming a political category representing nations seeking greater influence in global governance.
Several factors have driven this revival:
Growing dissatisfaction with existing global institutions perceived as Western-centric.
Rising economic power among emerging economies.
Geopolitical shocks — including supply chain disruptions and conflict-driven realignments — that exposed vulnerabilities in existing systems.
India has positioned itself as a spokesperson for these concerns.
During its leadership roles in multilateral forums, India emphasized themes such as debt relief, digital inclusion, climate finance, and equitable growth.
By advocating issues that resonate with developing nations, India strengthens its legitimacy as a bridge between advanced economies and emerging powers.
Competing Models: India vs China in the Global South
Any analysis of India’s strategy must consider China’s influence.
China’s Belt and Road Initiative has significantly expanded its footprint across Asia, Africa, and beyond through large-scale infrastructure investments.
India offers a contrasting model.
Rather than focusing primarily on massive financing projects, India emphasizes:
Capacity-building partnerships
Digital governance frameworks
Development cooperation
Human resource training
Technology sharing
India’s promotion of digital public infrastructure — such as scalable payment systems and identity frameworks — provides alternatives that require less financial dependency.
This approach appeals to nations seeking development assistance without strategic entanglement.
The competition between Indian and Chinese models is therefore not merely economic; it represents competing visions of leadership and partnership.
BRICS Expansion and Multipolar Aspirations
The expansion of BRICS reflects the broader shift toward a multipolar world.
For India, BRICS serves multiple strategic functions:
Amplifying the collective voice of emerging economies.
Advocating reforms to international financial institutions.
Creating alternative platforms for economic coordination.
However, India must carefully navigate internal dynamics, particularly China’s influence within the grouping.
New Delhi’s objective appears to be maintaining BRICS as a genuinely multipolar platform rather than allowing it to become dominated by any single power.
This balancing act illustrates India’s broader strategic philosophy: engagement without subordination.
Networked Diplomacy: Beyond Traditional Alliances
India’s foreign policy today can be described as networked diplomacy.
Rather than forming rigid alliances, India builds overlapping partnerships across regions and sectors.
Examples include:
The Quad in the Indo-Pacific.
Strategic partnerships with Middle Eastern powers.
Engagement with African and Southeast Asian nations.
Expanded cooperation with European countries.
This diversified engagement reduces strategic vulnerability while enhancing influence.
The Global South strategy fits seamlessly within this framework — emphasizing inclusivity without hierarchy.
Economic Connectivity and Strategic Corridors
Infrastructure and connectivity projects increasingly shape geopolitical competition.
India’s support for initiatives such as transregional economic corridors demonstrates its ambition to influence global trade architecture.
These projects aim to:
Diversify supply chains.
Enhance resilience against geopolitical disruptions.
Strengthen economic ties with key regions.
Connectivity initiatives are not purely economic; they represent instruments of strategic positioning.
By linking regions through trade and technology, India reinforces its role as a central node in emerging global networks.
Defense Diplomacy and Security Partnerships
India’s engagement with the Global South also includes defense cooperation.
This approach focuses less on dependency-driven arms sales and more on:
Training programs.
Joint exercises.
Technology partnerships.
Maritime security collaboration.
Such initiatives enhance trust and foster long-term relationships.
They also support India’s broader Indo-Pacific vision, where regional stability depends on balancing competing powers without escalating confrontation.
Challenges Facing India’s Strategy
Despite growing influence, India’s ambitions face significant constraints.
Economic limitations remain a critical factor, particularly when compared to China’s financial capacity.
Implementation challenges — including bureaucratic delays and infrastructure execution issues — can undermine credibility.
Additionally, balancing relations with rival powers requires constant diplomatic calibration.
India must also avoid appearing as a hegemonic leader, as many Global South nations prioritize sovereignty and independence.
Is India Building a Bloc — or a New Model?
The central question remains: is India constructing a strategic bloc?
The evidence suggests something more nuanced.
Rather than building a traditional alliance, India appears to be shaping a flexible strategic network characterized by:
Multi-alignment.
Issue-based cooperation.
Strategic autonomy.
Multipolar balance.
This model may represent a new form of geopolitical organization suited to a fragmented world order.
The Future of Global Governance
India’s evolving strategy could reshape global governance in several ways:
Strengthening alternative institutions outside traditional Western frameworks.
Increasing bargaining power for emerging economies.
Encouraging decentralized global leadership structures.
If successful, India’s approach could provide a template for other middle powers navigating great-power competition.
Conclusion: A Quiet Architect of Change
India’s rise as a Global South leader is neither accidental nor purely rhetorical.
Through strategic autonomy, networked diplomacy, and targeted partnerships, New Delhi is positioning itself as a central player in the emerging multipolar order.
Whether this evolves into a formal bloc remains uncertain.
But one reality is clear:
India is not merely adapting to global change — it is actively shaping the rules of the next geopolitical era.
Watch the complete podcast: