Lok Sabha Question No. 5699 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: India’s Global Influence
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-5699

ANSWERED ON 04/04/2025

INDIA'S GLOBAL INFLUENCE

5699. SMT. PRATIMA MONDAL

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) the manner in which the Ministry is working to expand India's global influence in strategic international organizations such as the UN, G20, BRICS, and QUAD;

(b) the initiatives taken by the Government to deepen India's engagement with   the   Global   South,   ensuring   mutual   growth   and   development partnerships; and

(c) the manner in which the Ministry plan to enhance intelligence-sharing agreements with global allies, ensuring proactive defense against security threats?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)

(a) India's membership of various multilateral and plurilateral initiatives such as UN, G20, BRICS and Quad and its own leadership in establishing various international institutions, including the International Solar Alliance (ISA), the Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure (CDRI), Global Bio-fuels Alliance and the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) reflects the country's expanding interests and partnerships. Through these groupings, India has put forward its viewpoint on global issues such as reformed multilateralism, peace and security, climate change, transnational crime, terrorism, cyber-security, energy and food security.

At the United Nations, India engages in a forward-looking and constructive manner across all organs of the UN. It furthers its areas of interest in the UN in a proactive manner, including through its leadership role in realizing several   landmark   initiatives.   These   efforts   have   resulted   in   greater collaboration and closer engagement with partner countries. India has also   been   a   strong   advocate   for   more   inclusive   and   equitable   global economic growth.

India   has   emerged   as   an   influential   global   voice   and   a   consistent, balanced and reliable partner in the G20 grouping, placing it in a unique position as an effective bridge and unifying force between the East and the West, and between the developing and developed countries. During its

Presidency of the G20 in 2023, under the theme of 'One Earth, One Family, One   Future',   drawing   upon   our   age-old   belief of   "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", India seized the opportunity to highlight the priorities and concerns of the developing world and emerged as a leader of the Global South at the world stage. The induction of the African Union into the G20 during the Indian Presidency further amplified India's role as a voice of the Global South.

India leverages BRICS to push for reforms in international institutions, like United   Nations   including   its   Security   Council,   aiming   for   greater representation of emerging economies. The common thread in BRICS is commitment to multi-polarity. The meetings and discussions of BRICS are aimed at finding common ground and working together to shape the global order.

With its positive and constructive agenda, Quad has emerged as a force for global good. Quad's initiatives are aimed at complementing the region's development priorities, accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, and delivering public goods to countries in the IndoPacific   region.   India   has   taken   the   lead   in   establishing   the   Quad Partnership on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief  (HADR) to respond   to   natural   disasters   in   the   region.   Quad's   positive   focus   on practical cooperation has been well received in the region.

(b) India has a people-centric foreign policy, guided by the demands and aspirations of its people. India has joined several groupings and piloted initiatives in a manner that promote India's engagements and interests at bilateral, regional and global level. India is a voice of peace, security and prosperity for all, particularly the Global South.  India has always been committed   towards   addressing   the   needs   and   aspirations   of   fellow developing countries and has been constructively championing the cause of holistic human-centric development of countries of the Global South. To deepen India's engagement with the Global South, India has hosted

three editions of the Voice of Global South Summit. These Summits were aimed to deliberate specifically on Global South's developmental priorities and the solutions that can emerge for the unique challenges faced by them.  The   first   edition   of   the   Summit   was   held   from   12-13   January, 2023 with the theme of 'Unity of  voice, Unity of  purpose'. The second edition   of   the   Summit   was   held   on   17th November   2023,   under   the overarching   theme-   'Together,   For   Everyone's   Growth,   With   Everyone's Trust'. The third edition of the Summit was held on 17th August 2024 with the overarching theme of 'An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future'. All the three editions saw participation by Leaders, Ministers and Senior Officials from over 100 countries.

Further, to strengthen our ties with the Global South, following initiatives have also been taken:

i.   Enhancing   Connectivity   and   economic   inter-linkages   by   undertaking projects   ranging   from   large   scale   infrastructure   development   to community related projects in various sectors, including health, housing, environment and education.

ii. Extending financial, budgetary and humanitarian assistance to partner countries to aid them in mitigating economic challenges and overcome crisis.

iii.   Contributing   towards   capacity   building   and   skill   development   in countries   of   the   Global   South   by   offering   scholarships   and   training programs to students and professionals.

In order to deepen India's engagement with Global South, Honorable Prime Minister   outlined   the   MAHASAGAR   doctrine   i.e.   'Mutual   and   Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions' (an extension of SAGAR doctrine) in March 2025 in Mauritius.

(c) With   a   view   to   bolster   national   security   and   address   emerging threats, India has been engaged with global allies at various levels to enter into   strategic   partnerships   and   defence   agreements/MoUs   in   various domains   including   intelligence-sharing   agreements.   In   addition,   MEA

regularly   conducts   Joint   Working   Group   (JWG)   meeting,   during   which proposals for intelligence sharing agreements are also discussed. ******