MAHASAGAR Initiative: India Redefining Global South Leadership

SAGAR India’s Initiative: From Moral Leader to Strategic Power

Prime Minister Modi’s two day trip to Mauritius, graced the national day celebrations of the island nation. During the trip, the PM with his Mauritius counterpart Navinchandra Ramgoolam, unveiled India’s new vision for Global South with the name “MAHASAGAR” stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region. The PM strengthened its ties to enhanced strategic partnership and signed eight pacts to elevate ties in several sectors such as Maritime security, promote trade in local currencies, and capacity building. The MAHASAGAR builds upon India’s 2015 SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) initiative, aimed to ensure stable and prosperous maritime security and economic cooperation with IOR (Indian Ocean Origin) nations.

MAHASAGAR: Balancing Diplomacy, Trade, and Security

PM Modi has expanded the SAGAR vision through the MAHASAGAR policy which extends beyond the Indian Ocean to include all countries of the Global South. India wants to extend full cooperation and continued support and assistance to Mauritius in elevating its defense and security requirements. The vision of the MAHASAGAR initiative are:

1. Trade for Economic Development: India wants to emphasize the importance of trade as a catalyst for economic growth. The initivative aims to expand trade partnerships, sharing technology and sustainable growth.
2. Capacity building: The vision focusses on the need for capacity building such as supporting infrastructure development, education, and economic reforms.
3. Security and Strategic Cooperation: Enhancing maritime security, defense collaborations, and regional stability. The MAHASAGAR initiative advocates for collaborative efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment.

Why is India leading Global South?

With MAHASAGAR, India is positioning itself as a leader in shaping the future of the Global South by offering an alternative to Western and Chinese-led initiatives.  The policy approach comes at the backdrop of China’s persistent efforts to expand its influence in the Indian Ocean. India’s leadership in the Global South is a strategic necessity and reinforces its global standing as a leader. What strengthens India’s global standing as a leader?

1. Expanding India’s Geopolitical Influence:

By leading the Global South, India establishes itself as a key voice for developing nations in global forums like the G20, BRICS, UN, and WTO. This leadership helps India:

• Negotiate better trade terms for emerging economies.
• Counterbalance Western and Chinese dominance in global policymaking.
• Expand strategic alliances in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.

 2. Economic Benefits and Market Expansion:

India’s MAHASAGAR policy, an extension of SAGAR 2015 policy creates new trade and investment opportunities across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This benefits India by:

• Increasing exports to emerging markets.
• Securing vital resources like energy, rare minerals, and food supplies.
• Strengthening Rupee-based trade to reduce dependency on the US dollar.

    3. Confronting China’s influence:

China has been expanding its influence in Global South through Belt and Road initiative (BRI). India provides an alternative model of cooperation that promotes mutual development with no debt traps.

• Strengthen ties with African and island nations that are skeptical of China’s debt-driven investments.
• Promote infrastructure projects with transparency (e.g., India’s projects in Mauritius, Maldives, and Africa).
• Offer technology and digital solutions instead of debt-heavy projects.

  4. Maritime and Security Leadership:

India’s growing naval strength and partnerships (like QUAD, IORA, and Indian Ocean defense pacts) allow it to:

• Ensure free trade routes in the Indo-Pacific against potential Chinese aggression.
• Expand its military footprint through naval bases and defense agreements.
• Position itself as a security provider for smaller nations vulnerable to external pressures.

 5. Soft Power and Historical Legacy: 

India has led the Global South, dating back to the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) during the Cold War to its current diplomatic efforts by:

• Providing vaccines, education, and digital tools to poorer nations.
• Promoting cultural diplomacy through yoga, Ayurveda, and cinema.
• Using its large diaspora in Africa and the Middle East to build stronger economic ties.

India moved from a passive leader in 1950’s to an active player shaping economic, security, and digital futures (2020s). While it once championed ideological solidarity, today it uses trade, defense, and technology partnerships to influence Global South nations.

Conclusion

India aims to move beyond the regional power status to becoming a global power in the Global South. India wants to shape international policies, trade, and security frameworks and become a key player. India gets to stand and challenge western dominance, and elevate economic opportunities for itself. With the MAHASAGAR policy (2025), India is expanding its leadership globally, marking a new era of assertive diplomacy and economic cooperation.

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