India’s role in governance
🇮🇳 India’s Role in Global Governance Reforms – Explained for UPSC Mains
✅ Introduction
Global governance institutions such as the United Nations (UN), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank, and World Trade Organization (WTO) were largely shaped in the post-World War II era. These institutions are increasingly seen as unrepresentative of today’s multipolar world, where emerging economies like India play a far greater role than they did in the 1940s.
India has emerged as a strong voice calling for reforms in global governance to make them more inclusive, democratic, and responsive to the needs of the Global South.
✅ Why Reform is Needed?
- Outdated Structures – For example, UN Security Council’s permanent membership still reflects the power dynamics of 1945.
- Underrepresentation – Africa, Latin America, and South Asia are underrepresented in global decision-making.
- Inequity in Financial Institutions – Voting rights in IMF and World Bank are skewed in favor of developed countries.
- Global South Challenges Ignored – Issues like food security, climate justice, and equitable vaccine access remain inadequately addressed.
✅ India’s Role in Driving Reforms
| Area | India’s Contributions |
|---|---|
| 1. United Nations Security Council (UNSC) | – Demands permanent membership for itself. – Supports G4 grouping (India, Germany, Japan, Brazil). – Advocates for greater voice for Africa. |
| 2. G20 Presidency (2023) | – Platform for amplifying Global South concerns. – Instrumental in including the African Union as a permanent member of G20. – Promoted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and One Earth, One Family, One Future vision. |
| 3. International Monetary Fund & World Bank | – Advocates for quota reform. – Pushed for debt relief for poor nations, especially post-COVID. – Supports localization of development models. |
| 4. WTO Reform | – Opposes protectionism by developed countries. – Champions TRIPS waiver for vaccines. – Supports food security concerns of developing countries. |
| 5. Digital Governance | – Promotes open-source DPI for developing nations (e.g., UPI, Aadhaar, CoWIN). – Leads Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository for capacity sharing. |
| 6. Climate Governance | – Advocates Climate Justice and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR). – Pushes for climate finance and tech transfer to developing countries. |
| 7. Voice of Global South Summits (2023) | – Hosted 3 summits engaging 125+ countries. – Launched Global Development Compact. – Positions India as a unifying voice for Global South. |
✅ Strengths Behind India’s Leadership
- Democratic credentials and a history of non-alignment.
- Moral leadership: Vaccine Maitri, neutrality in geopolitical conflicts.
- Development experience: Successful use of tech and public service delivery at scale.
- Demographic dividend: Young, educated population.
✅ Challenges and Criticisms
- Geopolitical tensions with neighbors (e.g., China, Pakistan).
- Domestic challenges: poverty, inequality, digital divide.
- Economic limitations: Though rising, India still lags in per capita income and overall global influence compared to China or the US.
- Lack of unity in Global South: Different priorities among developing countries.
✅ Conclusion
India is not merely a passive participant in global institutions but an active advocate for their democratization and inclusivity. Through strategic diplomacy, multilateral engagements, and leadership of the Global South, India seeks to reshape global governance for a more just and equitable world order.
In a multipolar world, India’s role as a bridge between North and South, its push for reforms, and its emphasis on development equity may well determine the future architecture of global governance.
✅ Answer Writing Tip for UPSC Mains:
If asked in Mains (GS2 or GS3), you can structure the answer as:
- Introduction – Define global governance & need for reform.
- Body – India’s role with examples, strengths, initiatives.
- Criticism/Challenges – Include counterpoints.
- Conclusion – Emphasize India’s unique position and the road ahead.