India's Global South Outreach: PM's 5-Nation Tour

Context

India has undertaken a renewed push to enhance its global diplomacy, especially among countries of the Global South, focusing on strategic, economic, and multilateral engagements.

As part of this initiative, the Prime Minister is on a 9-day, 5-nation tour from July 1, 2025, covering key countries in Africa and South America.

This visit is aimed at expanding India’s presence in regions vital for:

• Strategic influence

• Critical mineral resources (lithium, gold, oil)

• Global South leadership

• Diaspora connections

• BRICS Summit participation

Overall Focus of the Visit

• Strengthen India’s strategic and economic footprint in Africa and South America

• Deepen partnerships with resource-rich nations

• Reinforce India’s leadership role in the Global South

• Promote multilateralism and advocate global governance reforms

• Engage with Indian diaspora communities abroad

Ghana

• First bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister in three decades

• Ghana is among West Africa’s fastest-growing economies

• India is the largest export destination for Ghana, primarily for gold

• Key focus areas:

  • Trade and investment

  • Energy cooperation

  • Defence collaboration

  • Development partnerships

Trinidad & Tobago (T&T)

• First Indian PM visit since 1999

• Home to about 40–45% of the Caribbean Indian diaspora

• Visit coincides with 180 years of Indian immigration to T&T

• Bilateral trade in 2024–25 stood at $341.61 million

• Focus areas:

  • Strengthening cultural and diaspora ties

  • Enhancing economic cooperation

Argentina

• First bilateral visit by an Indian PM in 57 years

• Meeting held with President Javier Milei, known for close US alignment

• In 2024, India was Argentina’s 5th-largest trading partner

• Key sectors of cooperation:

  • Defence and agriculture

  • Mining and energy

  • Oil and gas collaboration

• Special focus on lithium cooperation, crucial for India’s green energy goals

Brazil

• Attending the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro from July 6–7, 2025

• Summit Theme: “Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance”

• Brazil is India’s largest trading partner in South America

• Focus areas of the summit and bilateral talks:

  • Global governance reforms

  • Peace and security

  • AI regulation

  • Climate action

  • Public health and multilateralism

Namibia

• PM Modi’s first visit to Namibia, third visit by any Indian PM

• Trade with Namibia has grown from $3 million (2000) to $600 million (current)

• Major Indian investments in:

  • Mining and diamond processing

  • Manufacturing and services sectors

• Historical cooperation includes the translocation of 8 cheetahs to Kuno National Park in 2022 under wildlife conservation efforts