GS area: International Relations
India hosted the third edition of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) on 17 August 2024. The event was conducted virtually:
- Theme: "An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future."
- Participation: 123 countries. The absence of China and Pakistan was deliberate: both were excluded as they are not part of India's conception of the Global South as a coalition of developing countries in genuine solidarity. China's own Global South positioning is separate.
- India's proposal: a Global Development Compact to pool resources for digital public infrastructure, climate finance and technology transfer. Specific commitments: a USD 25 million Social Impact Fund for Digital Public Infrastructure, a USD 2.5 million trade promotion fund and a USD 1 million trade policy training fund.
- Global South definition: the term refers broadly to developing and emerging economies in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Oceania. It was coined in 1969 by Carl Oglesby, an American writer. The Global South's GDP share grew from 20 per cent in the 1970s-1990s to approximately 40 per cent by 2012.
- Previous summits: the 1st VOGSS was held in January 2023 (during India's G20 presidency). The 2nd VOGSS was held in November 2023. India's G20 presidency gave it the political runway to convene this coalition.
- India's foreign policy angle: the VOGSS serves India's aspiration to be a "Vishwamitra" (friend of the world) and a leading voice for developing-country interests in multilateral forums.
Static linkage: India's foreign policy, multilateralism, development cooperation.
GS area: International Relations, Society
The Indian American diaspora (over 4 million, the second-largest immigrant group in the USA) is disproportionately influential:
- Economic output: Fortune 500 CEOs of Indian origin lead 16 companies as of 2024. Notable names include Satya Nadella (Microsoft) and Sundar Pichai (Alphabet/Google).
- Science: 13 per cent of US scientific publications are co-authored by Indian Americans.
- Remittances: USD 26 billion sent from the US to India in 2022-23, part of India's total global remittances of USD 113 billion. India is the world's largest remittance receiver.
- Soft power: 1 in 10 Americans practices yoga (2023 estimate). Kamala Harris, US Vice President (2021-2025), is of Indian origin.
- Policy relevance: the diaspora is a channel for technology transfer, investment and diplomatic influence. The India-US civil nuclear deal (2005) was partly enabled by Indian-American lobbying.
- Brain gain view: India increasingly views diaspora not as brain drain but as an asset, connecting to homeland through investment, knowledge transfer and advocacy.
Static linkage: India-US relations, soft power, development finance.