Recent geopolitical shifts, particularly those stemming from the policies of former U.S. President Donald Trump, are catalyzing stronger alliances among nations like India, Brazil, and South Africa. Leaders from these nations convened in Johannesburg, South Africa, to revitalize the India, Brazil, and South Africa (IBSA) forum, signaling a united front against what they perceive as aggressive trade tactics and targeted actions from the U.S..
The IBSA forum aims to foster closer cooperation and advocate for a more representative multilateral system. During the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to South-South cooperation and the reform of global governance institutions. They also agreed to strengthen and expand the IBSA Fund, which supports development projects in various countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on the G20 Summit sidelines to discuss enhanced cooperation in trade, investment, mining, critical minerals, AI, digital public infrastructure, skill development, and food security. Both leaders expressed interest in initiating youth delegation exchanges to strengthen technology collaboration and interpersonal connections. Modi also lauded South Africa for its successful G20 presidency.
At the IBSA leaders' summit, Modi emphasized that IBSA could "provide a message of unity, cooperation, and humanity" at a time when the world seems fragmented.
The growing cooperation between India, Brazil, and South Africa also reflects a broader discontent with the existing global order, particularly concerning trade imbalances and the distribution of power within international institutions. The leaders jointly expressed serious concerns about unilateral tariffs and other coercive trade measures, deeming them discriminatory.
The G20 summit in Johannesburg faced challenges, including the absence of former U.S. President Donald Trump and a U.S.-European divide over the future of Ukraine. Trump's administration stated that South Africa's priorities, particularly in boosting global cooperation on trade and climate action, ran counter to U.S. policy.
Despite these challenges, South Africa pushed forward with its G20 aims, seeking to reduce economic inequalities, shrink debt for low-income countries, secure assistance for clean-energy transitions, and establish a critical minerals pact. President Ramaphosa emphasized the importance of the G20 as a platform for multilateral cooperation. The summit concluded with the adoption of a declaration that highlighted growing global instability, economic fragmentation, and widening inequalities, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation.
