Why in news?
The United Nations observed the International Day for South–South Cooperation on 12 September 2025. Discussions focused on how developing countries can work together and partner with advanced nations to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). India has been positioning itself as a champion of this approach through the G‑20 and its “Voice of Global South” initiative.
What is South–South cooperation?
South–South cooperation refers to collaboration among developing countries to share knowledge, technology and resources. It was formally recognised in the 1978 Buenos Aires Plan of Action and is celebrated each year on 12 September. Triangular cooperation involves a partnership where a developing country works with another developing country and is supported by a developed country or international organisation.
Objectives and functions
- Self‑reliance and mutual benefit: Countries pool their strengths to build capacity in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, digital technology and climate action.
- Representation in global governance: By uniting, developing countries gain a louder voice in international institutions and can negotiate more equitable trade and finance rules.
- Regional integration: Cooperation encourages cross‑border infrastructure projects and harmonises standards, thereby boosting trade and connectivity.
- Complementing traditional aid: Southern partnerships augment but do not replace assistance from developed countries. Triangular cooperation can ensure that funding meets local priorities.
India’s role
India’s foreign policy draws on the philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). Programmes like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and the India–UN Development Partnership Fund have trained thousands of professionals and built critical infrastructure across Africa, Asia and the Pacific. India promotes digital public goods such as Unified Payments Interface (UPI) to partner nations and hosted “Voice of Global South” summits, giving smaller countries a platform to express their needs. At the G‑20 Summit in 2025 it advocated that the African Union be made a permanent member, which was later achieved.
Challenges and the way forward
Limited financing and expertise can restrict the scope of South–South initiatives. Differences in national interests sometimes impede consensus. To overcome these, developing countries need to strengthen regional institutions, mobilise innovative sources of funding and set up robust monitoring mechanisms. By expanding cooperation into digital economy regulation, climate finance, health and resilience, and by making partnerships more inclusive, the South can build a more equitable global order.