Overview of the Summit

- India hosted the 3rd Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on August 17, 2024, themed "An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future".

- This event saw participation from 123 nations, excluding China and Pakistan.

- The first two editions of VOGSS were also hosted by India in a virtual format and took place in January and November 2023 respectively.

Objectives and Necessity of VOGSS

- The VOGSS is a novel initiative led by India to unite Global South countries and address a broad spectrum of issues through shared perspectives and priorities.

- It mirrors India's philosophy of "One Earth, One Family, One Future", aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas.

- The summit was necessitated by several global challenges facing the developing world including the Covid pandemic, Ukraine conflict, debt crisis, and food and energy security issues.

- The objective is to give due attention to the often-neglected concerns of the developing world and provide a platform for globally addressing these concerns.

Key Outcomes of 3rd VOGSS 2024

- The Prime Minister of India proposed a comprehensive four-fold Global Development Compact (GDC) encompassing trade for development, capacity building for sustainable growth, technology sharing, and specific financial and grants projects.

- India announced initiatives for development partnerships with Global South countries, including two separate funds of USD 2.5 million and USD 1 million for trade promotion activities and trade policy capacity building respectively. 

- India pledged to provide affordable generic medicines to Global South states, train drug regulators, and share experiences in 'natural farming'.

- Emphasis was laid on just and inclusive global governance and the need for reforming global institutions to prioritise Global South's concerns.

- Collaboration for the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and tackling challenges of development finance, health, climate change, technology, governance, energy, trade, youth empowerment, and digital transformation were emphasised.

Explanation of "Global South"

- American academic Carl Oglesby coined the term “Global South” in 1969. It broadly refers to the regions of Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania segregated by the Brandt line primarily based on GDP per capita.

- These regions, outside Europe and North America, are mostly low-income and often politically or culturally marginalised.

- China and India are the principal proponents of the Global South.

India's Challenges as the “Voice of Global South”

- India faces geopolitical competition, especially from China who is expanding influence in the Global South through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

- India's food security decision to limit rice exports has been criticised, which poses a challenge to its leadership role in the Global South.

- Concerns about contaminated medicines linked to Indian manufacturers have put India's reputation as the "pharmacy of the world" under scrutiny.

- Critics argue India should emphasise its internal development issues before leading others in the Global South.

The Way Forward

- India needs to enhance its strategic partnerships, focus on co-operative projects in technology, education, and healthcare to counter China's influence.

- Advocacy for a development model prioritising sustainability and inclusivity can distinguish India from China's dominance.

- To maintain credibility in the Global South, India needs to balance domestic food security with global responsibilities.