Fresh Delhi hosted the third Voice of the Global South Summit in January 2024, positioning India as an advocate for developing nations and sustainable development, according to a report from the SPMRF organization.
India is increasingly leveraging its technological capabilities and diplomatic influence to present itself as a leading voice for the Global South, a strategy that seeks to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape between the United States, and China. This approach, characterized by what analysts describe as “multi-alignment,” marks a departure from its historical non-alignment policy during the Cold War, and a more recent period of strategic autonomy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has actively cultivated a diverse network of partnerships, balancing relationships with Russia, China, and the United States while simultaneously expanding collaborations with other nations. This strategy, according to a CIDOB report published in October 2025, allows India to navigate an increasingly volatile world order. The country’s growing economic and military strength – it is currently the world’s fifth-largest economy, projected to become the third-largest by 2030, and possesses the world’s second-largest military – underpins this more assertive foreign policy.
India’s G20 presidency in 2023 exemplified this shift, allowing New Delhi to champion the interests of developing countries on a global stage. The Voice of the Global South Summit, attended by representatives from over 100 countries, further reinforced this leadership role. This focus on the Global South is not merely rhetorical. it is coupled with a pragmatic approach to international relations, prioritizing ‘India first’ while engaging with a broad spectrum of partners.
The shift towards multi-alignment has not been without its challenges. Recent U.S. Sanctions targeting entities linked to Russian transactions have presented a delicate balancing act for India, which maintains significant economic and defense ties with Moscow. The question of Russia’s future contribution to India’s priorities as a rising power remains a key consideration, as does the extent to which India can trust the United States, according to analysis from CIDOB.
Despite these complexities, India continues to expand its regional influence, particularly within the Indo-Pacific. Its active participation in multilateral organizations such as BRICS+ and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) demonstrates its commitment to a multipolar world order. The upcoming Leaders’ Summit of the QUAD, scheduled to be held in India in 2025, will be a significant test of its ability to balance competing interests and maintain its position as a key player in the region.
The New York Times reported on February 21, 2026, that India is using technology as a tool of foreign policy, casting itself as a moral voice for smaller, developing countries. The specifics of this technological approach remain largely undefined in public statements, but it signals a further evolution of India’s foreign policy strategy.
As of February 21, 2026, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has not released a detailed statement outlining the specific technological initiatives being employed as part of its foreign policy strategy.
