On the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a trilateral meeting with the Presidents of Brazil and South Africa to reinforce cooperation under the IBSA Dialogue Forum. The leaders discussed collaboration in climate-resilient agriculture, digital innovation, counter-terrorism, UN reforms, and broader Global South priorities.
About IBSA
The IBSA Dialogue Forum—comprising India, Brazil, and South Africa—was formalised in 2003 to promote democracy, development, and dialogue among major democracies from Asia, South America, and Africa. The forum operates without a permanent secretariat, focusing on flexible, consultative cooperation.
Key mechanisms include:
- IBSA Fund: Supporting poverty alleviation in developing nations, with USD 53.27 million allocated to 46 projects in 34 countries.
- IBSAMAR Exercises: Joint maritime military exercises enhancing strategic trust.
India’s 2025 Initiatives
India proposed forward-looking measures including:
- NSA-level Security Dialogue for counter-terrorism coordination
- IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture to aid Global South adaptation
- Digital Innovation Alliance sharing India’s platforms like UPI and CoWIN
Strategic Significance
IBSA strengthens India’s role as a voice of the Global South, promoting inclusive development, democratic governance, and UN reforms. It allows India to lead initiatives without China’s influence and showcases its soft power through development leadership and digital public goods.
Challenges & Future Pathways
IBSA faces hurdles including low intra-group trade, diverging foreign policies, overlap with BRICS, and lack of a permanent secretariat. Future strengthening could include:
- Establishing a permanent secretariat
- Focusing on digital, climate, and governance niches
- Launching an IBSA Business Council
- Reviving the IBSA Fund for impactful Global South projects
The trilateral meeting highlighted India’s commitment to deepening South-South cooperation, advancing democratic values, and leveraging IBSA for sustainable and inclusive global development.
