UPSC Alert: VP Calls for Strategic Collaboration Among Global South Nations

25 Sep UPSC Alert: VP Calls for Strategic Collaboration Among Global South Nations

✎ IN-STEP is India’s multilateral platform under the aegis of the National Security Council Secretariat to foster strategic collaboration among Global South nations, addressing interconnected challenges in technology, climate, and…

Subject Relevance — Where This Topic Fits

• GS Paper II — International Relations: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests  |  GS Paper II — Effect of Policies and Politics of Developed and Developing Countries on India’s interests
• Prelims: IN-STEP, Global South, India’s G20 Presidency 2023, Cybersecurity threats, Maritime security, Supply chain resilience, Artificial Intelligence governance, Energy security, Climate change diplomacy
• Essay: The imperative of South-South cooperation in addressing global challenges, Technology, ethics, and equitable development: Balancing progress with humanity

Quick Revision: IN-STEP is India’s multilateral platform under the aegis of the National Security Council Secretariat to foster strategic collaboration among Global South nations, addressing interconnected challenges in technology, climate, and governance through dialogue, mutual learning, and collective action.

Why is this in the news?

The 4th edition of the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) on 25 September 2026 emphasized the need for enhanced strategic cooperation among Global South nations to address emerging security and developmental challenges. The programme, jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the National Security Council Secretariat, brought together 25 delegates from 22 developing countries to deliberate on interconnected threats in technology, cyberspace, AI, energy, maritime security, climate change, and supply chains, underscoring India’s commitment to fostering multilateral dialogue and collective action.

Background

• The concept of the ‘Global South’ emerged post-Cold War to describe developing nations, primarily in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, facing shared developmental and security challenges.
• India’s G20 Presidency in 2023 prioritised issues of relevance to the Global South, including climate finance, debt relief, and digital public infrastructure, reflecting a shift toward inclusive multilateralism.
• The International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) was launched as a platform for senior professionals and leaders from Global South countries to engage in strategic dialogue, mutual learning, and capacity-building exercises.
• Emerging challenges such as cyber threats, AI governance, energy transitions, and supply chain disruptions transcend national boundaries, necessitating collaborative frameworks for mitigation and resilience.
• India’s ‘Vaccine Maitri’ initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic exemplified its commitment to equitable global health cooperation, aligning with the principles of shared prosperity and collective action.

What is the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP)?

• IN-STEP is an annual flagship programme initiated by the Government of India to foster strategic engagement among Global South nations, particularly focusing on senior professionals, policymakers, and leaders from developing countries.
• The programme is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the National Security Council Secretariat, with the National Defence College serving as the nodal institution for its implementation.
• IN-STEP aims to create a sustainable platform for meaningful dialogue, mutual learning, and strategic collaboration to address emerging global challenges, including security, technology, climate change, and economic resilience.
• The programme aligns with India’s broader foreign policy objectives of promoting South-South cooperation, reinforcing its role as a bridge between developed and developing nations, and advocating for inclusive multilateralism.
• IN-STEP 2026 focused on themes such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, energy security, maritime security, climate change adaptation, and supply chain resilience, reflecting the interconnected nature of modern global challenges.
• The programme emphasises the principles of mutual respect, sovereign equality, and shared developmental priorities, ensuring that all participating nations contribute to and benefit from collective deliberations.
• IN-STEP serves as a mechanism for capacity-building, knowledge-sharing, and the development of actionable frameworks to address common threats, thereby enhancing the strategic autonomy of Global South nations.

Key Features

Feature	Significance
International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP)	A structured platform for senior professionals and leaders from Global South countries to engage in strategic dialogue, mutual learning, and collaborative policy formulation on emerging global challenges.
Vice-President’s Call for Collective Action	Emphasises the necessity of unified responses to interconnected threats such as cybersecurity, AI, climate change, and supply chain disruptions, aligning with India’s G20 presidency priorities.
Focus on Global South Collaboration	Highlights the strategic importance of South-South cooperation, leveraging shared developmental priorities and diverse experiences to address common security and governance challenges.
Anti-Corruption as a Governance Imperative	Positions corruption eradication as a critical enabler for sustainable development, economic resilience, and equitable global progress.
Technological and Scientific Diplomacy	Advocates for equitable access to technological advancements and scientific innovations, ensuring benefits accrue to all nations, particularly developing ones.

Why it Matters

Strategic Diplomacy in Multipolar World

• Demonstrates India’s proactive role in fostering strategic partnerships among Global South nations to navigate a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape.
• Reinforces the principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) in foreign policy, prioritising collective security and development over zero-sum competition.
• Aligns with India’s historical advocacy for a rules-based international order and equitable representation in global governance institutions.

Economic and Developmental Implications

• Underscores the need for coordinated policies to address supply chain vulnerabilities, energy transitions, and climate adaptation, which disproportionately impact developing economies.
• Highlights the role of technological sovereignty in reducing dependency on external actors for critical infrastructure and innovation.
• Promotes South-South trade and investment as catalysts for resilient economic growth, reducing reliance on traditional North-South aid paradigms.

Security Architecture in the Digital Age

• Addresses the intersection of traditional and non-traditional security threats, including cyber warfare, AI-driven disinformation, and maritime domain awareness.
• Advocates for capacity-building in cybersecurity and AI governance to prevent exploitation by state and non-state actors.
• Emphasises the importance of maritime security in safeguarding global trade routes, particularly for landlocked and island nations in the Global South.

Institutional and Governance Reforms

• Calls for institutionalised mechanisms to combat corruption, including transparency in public procurement, digital governance, and cross-border legal cooperation.
• Promotes the adoption of best practices in governance, such as e-governance, citizen-centric service delivery, and participatory policy-making.
• Encourages the development of regional frameworks for standardising anti-corruption measures and mutual legal assistance.

Challenges

1. Geopolitical Fragmentation and Polarisation

• The rise of bloc politics and strategic rivalries among major powers risks marginalising the interests of Global South nations in global decision-making.
• Asymmetric power dynamics can lead to unequal access to critical technologies, financial resources, and security guarantees.

UPSC Link: GS II: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings

2. Technological Asymmetry and Digital Divide

• Developing nations face challenges in accessing, adopting, and regulating emerging technologies like AI, quantum computing, and 5G/6G networks.
• Over-reliance on foreign-owned digital infrastructure poses risks to data sovereignty and national security.

UPSC Link: GS III: Science and Technology

3. Climate Change and Resource Scarcity

• Global South nations are disproportionately vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, food insecurity, and water stress, exacerbating socio-economic inequalities.
• Transition to green energy requires substantial investment, technology transfer, and policy coordination, which remains uneven across regions.

UPSC Link: GS III: Environment and Disaster Management

4. Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Economic Dependence

• Over-concentration of critical supply chains in a few countries creates systemic risks, as evidenced by disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Developing nations often lack the industrial base to produce essential goods, leading to dependency on imports and vulnerability to price shocks.

UPSC Link: GS III: Indian Economy and Issues Relating to Planning

5. Corruption and Governance Deficits

• Corruption undermines institutional trust, diverts public resources, and exacerbates inequality, hindering sustainable development.
• Weak governance structures and lack of transparency impede effective policy implementation and service delivery.

UPSC Link: GS II: Role of Civil Services in a Democracy

6. Maritime Security and Freedom of Navigation

• Escalating maritime disputes, piracy, and illegal fishing threaten global trade and food security, particularly in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
• Limited naval capabilities of many Global South nations constrain their ability to safeguard maritime interests independently.

UPSC Link: GS II: Security Challenges and Their Management

Challenges — UPSC Perspective

Issue	Concern
Cybersecurity Threats	Rise of state-sponsored cyber attacks, ransomware, and disinformation campaigns targeting critical infrastructure and democratic processes.
AI Governance and Ethics	Lack of global consensus on AI regulation, risks of algorithmic bias, and potential misuse in surveillance and warfare.
Energy Transition Costs	High capital requirements for renewable energy adoption and dependence on fossil fuel imports for many developing nations.
Maritime Piracy and Illegal Activities	Increased incidents in key shipping lanes, undermining global trade and maritime security.
Supply Chain Fragmentation	Over-reliance on single-source suppliers for critical goods, leading to vulnerabilities during crises.
Corruption in Public Procurement	Systemic kickbacks and embezzlement in government contracts, distorting resource allocation and service delivery.

Way Forward

• Establish a Global South Strategic Dialogue Forum under India’s leadership to institutionalise regular consultations on emerging challenges.
• Develop a shared technology access and transfer mechanism to bridge the digital divide, focusing on AI, cybersecurity, and green energy.
• Create a multilateral anti-corruption initiative to standardise legal frameworks, share best practices, and facilitate cross-border investigations.
• Strengthen maritime security cooperation through joint naval exercises, information-sharing platforms, and capacity-building programs.
• Promote regional supply chain resilience by identifying critical goods, diversifying production hubs, and investing in local manufacturing.
• Advocate for climate finance reforms to ensure equitable access to green technology and adaptation funds for vulnerable nations.
• Enhance cybersecurity collaboration by establishing a Global South Cybersecurity Alliance to share threat intelligence and build institutional capacity.

UPSC Value Addition

Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP):
1. IN-STEP is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and the National Security Council Secretariat.
2. The programme focuses exclusively on military and defence cooperation among Global South countries.
3. IN-STEP aims to foster strategic engagement through collective responses to emerging challenges in technology, cyberspace, and climate change.
How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All
4. None

Answer: Only two — Statement 1 is correct as IN-STEP is jointly organised by the three specified ministries and the NSCS. Statement 2 is incorrect because IN-STEP addresses a broader range of challenges beyond military cooperation, including technology, cyberspace, and climate change. Statement 3 is correct as it aligns with the programme’s stated objectives.

Q2. Assertion (A): India’s G20 Presidency emphasised the need for sustained dialogue and strategic engagement among Global South countries.
Reason (R): The IN-STEP programme was established to institutionalise these principles during India’s G20 Presidency.
Options:
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
C. A is true, but R is false.
D. A is false, but R is true.

Answer: ? — Assertion (A) is true as India’s G20 Presidency highlighted the importance of dialogue and engagement among Global South countries. Reason (R) is also true and correctly explains (A), as IN-STEP was designed to create a lasting platform for such engagement.

Q3. Match the following emerging global challenges with the corresponding domain of strategic cooperation as highlighted in the IN-STEP programme:

Column I (Challenge) | Column II (Domain of Cooperation)
————————————————–|—————————————
A. Cybersecurity threats | 1. Maritime security
B. Supply chain disruptions | 2. Economic resilience
C. Energy security | 3. Technology and AI governance
D. Maritime piracy | 4. Trade and logistics

Options:
A. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
B. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
C. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
D. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Answer: ? — A-3 (Cybersecurity threats align with Technology and AI governance), B-4 (Supply chain disruptions relate to Trade and logistics), C-2 (Energy security pertains to Economic resilience), and D-1 (Maritime piracy falls under Maritime security).

Mains Practice Question

✍ The Vice-President of India has emphasised the need for ‘think globally, engage strategically and act in cohesion’ among Global South countries to address emerging security and developmental challenges. Critically examine the significance of South-South cooperation in contemporary global governance. (15 Marks)

Approach: MODEL-ANSWER SKELETON:
1. **Definition and scope of South-South cooperation**: Explain the concept, its historical evolution (Bandung Conference, 1955; NAM; G77), and its contemporary relevance in addressing global inequalities and asymmetries.

2. **Key pillars of South-South cooperation**:
– **Economic resilience**: Role in trade, investment, and supply chain diversification (e.g., India’s Vaccine Maitri, IT exports to Africa).
– **Technological sovereignty**: Collaborative R&D in AI, cybersecurity, and renewable energy (e.g., ISA, Digital Public Infrastructure partnerships).
– **Climate action**: Joint initiatives like the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and adaptation financing mechanisms.
– **Maritime security**: Cooperative frameworks in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and ASEAN-led mechanisms.

3. **Challenges and limitations**:
– **Resource asymmetry**: Over-reliance on external funding (e.g., World Bank/IMF conditionalities).
– **Geopolitical fragmentation**: Divergent national interests and lack of unified voice in multilateral forums.
– **Institutional weaknesses**: Limited capacity in policy formulation and implementation in many Global South countries.

4. **India’s role and initiatives**:
– **Diplomatic leadership**: G20 Presidency (2023), Voice of Global South Summit (2023), and IN-STEP programme.
– **Developmental partnerships**: Lines of Credit (LoCs), capacity-building programmes (e.g., ITEC), and technology transfers.
– **Strategic autonomy**: Balancing partnerships with Global North (e.g., Quad) and South (e.g., BRICS expansion).

5. **Conclusion**: South-South cooperation is indispensable for addressing global challenges but requires stronger institutional frameworks, equitable resource-sharing, and sustained political will to overcome structural limitations.

Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)

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