A Three-Nation Visit as a Foray into Summit Diplomacy (GS Paper 2, IR)
Context
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana from November 16-21, 2024, serves as a key example of India's growing engagement with diverse regions—Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
- The trip was designed to achieve several diplomatic goals, highlighting India’s increasing global presence and its efforts to strengthen relations with both traditional and emerging partners.
Introduction
- Prime Minister Modi’s visit was strategically significant, not just as a part of India’s foreign policy but also as a foray into summit diplomacy.
- This journey involved multiple engagements: attending the 19th G-20 summit in Brazil, strengthening India’s ties with Nigeria, and furthering cooperation with Guyana.
- The visit was an effective way to address both bilateral and multilateral issues, and the outcomes offer a glimpse into India’s broader foreign policy priorities.
Nigeria: The First Leg
Halt at Abuja: A Full-Scale State Visit
- Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Nigeria was far from a mere pitstop.
- Nigeria, the most populous African country and the fourth-largest economy on the continent, is a key player in global geopolitics.
- It has been expanding its influence, evidenced by its participation in the G-20 summit and its recent invitation to join the BRICS.
Natural Partnership between India and Nigeria
As large democracies with diverse, multi-ethnic populations, India and Nigeria share natural synergies. The visit underscored their shared commitment to unity in diversity. India’s growing stature in global affairs has been welcomed by Nigeria, as reflected in several symbolic gestures, including:
- The gifting of the keys to the city of Abuja to PM Modi.
- A 21-gun salute and ceremonial welcome at the State House.
- The conferment of a top national award for PM Modi’s contribution to fostering ties between the two countries.
Expanding Bilateral Cooperation
- The visit also laid the groundwork for expanding cooperation in key sectors such as trade, investment, education, energy, health, and culture.
- New areas of collaboration, including agriculture, urban transportation, and digital transformation, were explored.
- A joint commitment to combat terrorism and extremism further solidified the partnership. However, only three MoUs were signed, possibly due to bureaucratic delays.
Brazil: G-20 Summit and Global Diplomacy
The Centrepiece: G-20 Summit in Brazil
- The G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro (November 18-19, 2024) was a central event of the visit.
- With 19 major economies and two regional organizations, the G-20 is a platform where India, as a member, plays a pivotal role.
- The summit carried forward the people-centric decisions made at the New Delhi summit, with a focus on integrating Global South perspectives.
Key Developments at the Summit
Significant outcomes included:
- The launch of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, aimed at mobilizing finance and knowledge sharing.
- The adoption of a roadmap for reforming multilateral development banks.
- Renewed commitments to economic development, climate change, and the reform of global governance institutions.
Diplomatic Interactions
- Besides plenary sessions, the summit allowed for extensive bilateral meetings. Notably, PM Modi met leaders from the United States, Europe, and the Global South.
- The meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi was a significant moment for the next stage of India-China rapprochement.
Guyana: A Strategic Final Leg
Guyana’s Growing Importance
- On the final leg of the journey, PM Modi visited Guyana, a small Caribbean nation with a population of just under a million.
- Guyana’s importance is on the rise due to its substantial energy resources and its strategic position in regional affairs.
- Additionally, 40% of its population is of Indian origin, further strengthening bilateral ties.
Expanding Cooperation
The visit saw the signing of 10 MoUs across various sectors, including:
- Energy
- Defense
- Urban development
- Digital collaboration
- Education
- Food security
India-Caribbean Community Summit in Georgetown
The trip culminated in the India-Caribbean Community summit in Georgetown, Guyana, where PM Modi met with leaders from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). He proposed seven pillars to deepen cooperation, focusing on:
- Capacity building
- Agriculture and food security
- Renewable energy and climate change
- Innovation, technology, and trade
- Cricket and culture
- Ocean economy
- Medicine and health
This proposal was grounded in the priorities and needs of the Caribbean nations.
Conclusion
- Prime Minister Modi’s six-day trip to Nigeria, Brazil, and Guyana reinforced India’s global standing and contributed to enhancing India’s influence in three key regions.
- Guyana’s President Irfaan Ali praised Modi as a “champion among leaders” for his leadership in global affairs.
- If the decisions made during this visit are swiftly implemented, India could significantly optimize the outcomes of this multifaceted diplomatic engagement.
