India’s Global South Outreach: Focus On Africa & Latin America

The Prime Minister’s upcoming visits to Ghana, Namibia, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, and Brazil are the latest initiative in India’s commitment to meaningfully engaging with the Global South.

Though Brazil has been India’s most critical partner in South America, the Prime Minister's trip to Argentina is crucial as it will increase New Delhi’s visibility in the resource-rich continent.

An Important Visit To Argentina

Argentina is an important Latin American member of the G20. The country’s economy, which has been facing multiple challenges with high inflation and fiscal deficit, is showing signs of recovery.

The country registered a GDP growth rate of 5.8 per cent year-on-year in the quarter ending in March 2025. There is a scope for India and Argentina to expand their economic cooperation.

Argentina would require investments to boost its economy, and that would provide Indian businesses economic opportunities in key sectors, including agriculture, mining, defence and maritime industry.

In the same way, the dual island nation of Trinidad and Tobago, with a strong Indian diaspora, presents an opportunity to strengthen bonds with New Delhi.  

The State visit to Brasilia after the BRICS Summit in Rio De Janeiro is testimony to the bond that India and Brazil share. India-Brazil tango is essential to bring balance within the BRICS bloc as well as in other groups like the G20 and G4.

PM's Support To BRICS Host Brazil

The sudden decision by the Chinese President Xi Jinping to skip the BRICS Summit and instead send his deputy and Prime Minister Li Qiang possibly put the host country and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in a spot.

PM Narendra Modi, however, aptly decided that he should continue with his State Visit after the BRICS Summit. This may provide a diplomatic advantage to India.

Longstanding Relations With Ghana & Namibia

The choice of two African states – Ghana and Namibia – for the PM’s visits cannot be missed. Ghana and Namibia have been among the two most stable countries on the continent for decades.

Both are stable economies with huge potential for Indian investors in the mining and maritime sectors.

Namibia, in particular, can open significant opportunities for India in the mining of uranium, a key raw material for nuclear energy and electricity generation.  

India opened its representative office in Accra in 1953, before Ghana’s independence. It set up full-fledged diplomatic relations with Ghana in 1957, immediately after it attained independence.

India has been supporting Ghana’s development by assisting in developmental projects through concessional lines of credit (LoC) and grants. India is also among the top trading partners of Ghana and is the largest destination for Ghanaian exports.

This African nation has a positive trade balance with India, mainly due to huge imports of gold by India, which accounts for over 70 per cent of total imports from Ghana. 

The exchange of business delegations in recent years has led to an increase in investments by Indian companies in Ghana. Several Indian companies, including the Tata Group, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra & Mahindra, Escorts, Larsen & Toubro, NIIT, Shapoorji Pallonji, and some pharma majors, have already established their presence in Ghana.

India is among the top investors in Ghana, holding the second place for investments in 12 projects (after China). India is also keen to expand security and defence cooperation with Ghana.

India-Namibia tie is rooted in their shared history of fighting colonialism and a strong bond of mutual trust and understanding. India was among the first nations to raise the question of Namibian independence in the UN, way back in 1946.

The first embassy abroad of SWAPO (South West Africa People's Organisation), which led Namibia’s liberation struggle, was established in New Delhi in 1986. Apart from full diplomatic status and support at the non-aligned movement platform, India also provided Namibia with material assistance and military training.

India has been a steadfast supporter of Namibia's liberation struggle and independence. The recent translocation of cheetahs from Namibia to India, possibly the first instance in the world, highlights the strong bond and cooperation between the two nations.  

Global South Outreach In Africa & Latin America

In short, PM Modi’s visit to these countries will be keenly watched, and the outcomes will be measured, especially amid the growing geopolitical tensions.

India is also trying to diversify its markets and aggressively expand economic cooperation with as many countries as possible. In this, India’s focus will be on countries in Africa and Latin America.

(The writer is a commentator on geo-politics and geo-economics. Views are personal)