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South-South Cooperation

What is South-South Cooperation?

South-South Cooperation (SSC) refers to the sharing of knowledge, skills, resources, and technical know-how between developing countries countries of the Global South. It is a broad framework for collaboration among countries in the Southern Hemisphere, often characterized by solidarity and mutual benefit, distinct from traditional North-South development aid.

Historical Background

The concept emerged in the 1950s and 1960s during the decolonization era, gaining momentum at the Bandung Conference (1955) and the formation of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA) 1978 provided a foundational framework for SSC. India has been a strong proponent of SSC since its independence, viewing it as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.

Key Points

7 points
  • 1.

    Voluntary and Demand-Driven: Based on the specific needs and priorities of recipient countries, ensuring ownership.

  • 2.

    Mutual Benefit and Solidarity: Emphasizes shared experiences and solutions, fostering a partnership approach rather than a donor-recipient hierarchy.

  • 3.

    Respect for National Sovereignty: Adheres to principles of non-interference in internal affairs and equality among partners.

  • 4.

    Capacity Building: Focuses on strengthening human and institutional capacities in partner countries through training and knowledge transfer.

  • 5.

    Diverse Modalities: Includes technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, technology transfer, financial assistance (e.g., Lines of Credit), and joint ventures.

  • 6.

    Key Actors: Governments, civil society organizations, private sector, and regional organizations are all involved.

  • 7.

    Examples: India's ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program, Africa-India Forum Summits, and cooperation within BRICS and G77.

Visual Insights

South-South Cooperation: Principles and Areas

Mind map illustrating the principles, key areas, and challenges of South-South Cooperation.

South-South Cooperation

  • Principles
  • Key Areas
  • Examples
  • Challenges

Recent Developments

4 developments

Increased prominence due to the rise of emerging economies (e.g., BRICS, G20) and their growing influence in global affairs.

Focus on addressing global challenges like climate change, food security, health crises, and digital divide through collaborative efforts.

Digital cooperation and technology sharing gaining importance, exemplified by India's initiatives in digital public infrastructure.

India's commitment reaffirmed through initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and various capacity-building programs, positioning India as a leader in SSC.

This Concept in News

3 topics

Brazilian President Lula Praises India's Non-Colonial Approach on State Visit

23 Feb 2026

This news highlights the importance of mutual respect and shared values in South-South Cooperation. Lula's statement that India doesn't have a 'colonizing mindset' emphasizes that SSC is not simply about economic transactions, but also about building trust and understanding between countries. This challenges the traditional North-South model of development assistance, which is often seen as being driven by the interests of donor countries. The news also demonstrates how SSC can lead to stronger bilateral ties and increased trade and investment. The MoU between India and Brazil on pharmaceutical regulation is a concrete example of how SSC can promote cooperation in specific sectors. Understanding SSC is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the motivations and goals of the countries involved. It also helps to contextualize the news within the broader trend of increasing cooperation among developing countries.

India's Growing Economic Influence Attracts Developed and Developing Nations

17 Feb 2026

This news underscores the increasing importance of South-South Cooperation in a multipolar world. (1) It highlights how India is emerging as a key player in SSC, providing economic and technical assistance to other developing countries. (2) The demand for India's engagement challenges the traditional model of development assistance, where developed countries are the primary providers. (3) The news reveals that SSC is not just about aid, but also about fostering mutually beneficial partnerships based on trade, investment, and technology transfer. (4) The implications of this news are that SSC is likely to become even more important in the future, as developing countries seek to reduce their dependence on traditional donors and build more self-reliant economies. (5) Understanding SSC is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding India's role in the developing world and the changing dynamics of international development.

Brazil President Lula to Visit Delhi, Strengthening Strategic Ties

13 Feb 2026

The news of President Lula's visit demonstrates the practical application of South-South Cooperation. (1) It highlights the aspect of strengthening bilateral relations and fostering cooperation on shared challenges like climate change. (2) This visit applies the concept by showcasing how two developing countries can work together to address common interests and promote mutual development. (3) The news reveals that SSC is not just about aid, but also about building strategic partnerships and promoting trade and investment. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that SSC is likely to become even more important as developing countries seek to assert greater influence on the global stage. (5) Understanding SSC is crucial for properly analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations and goals of both India and Brazil in strengthening their relationship. Without this understanding, the visit might be misinterpreted as simply a diplomatic formality.

Source Topic

Brazilian President Lula Praises India's Non-Colonial Approach on State Visit

International Relations

UPSC Relevance

Important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (International Relations, India and its neighborhood, Bilateral, regional and global groupings). Often appears in questions related to India's foreign policy, development cooperation models, and global governance structures.

South-South Cooperation: Principles and Areas

Mind map illustrating the principles, key areas, and challenges of South-South Cooperation.

South-South Cooperation

Mutual Benefit

Capacity Building

Triangular Cooperation

Monitoring and Evaluation

Connections
South-South CooperationPrinciples
South-South CooperationKey Areas
South-South CooperationExamples
South-South CooperationChallenges

This Concept in News

3 news topics

3

Brazilian President Lula Praises India's Non-Colonial Approach on State Visit

23 February 2026

This news highlights the importance of mutual respect and shared values in South-South Cooperation. Lula's statement that India doesn't have a 'colonizing mindset' emphasizes that SSC is not simply about economic transactions, but also about building trust and understanding between countries. This challenges the traditional North-South model of development assistance, which is often seen as being driven by the interests of donor countries. The news also demonstrates how SSC can lead to stronger bilateral ties and increased trade and investment. The MoU between India and Brazil on pharmaceutical regulation is a concrete example of how SSC can promote cooperation in specific sectors. Understanding SSC is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the motivations and goals of the countries involved. It also helps to contextualize the news within the broader trend of increasing cooperation among developing countries.

India's Growing Economic Influence Attracts Developed and Developing Nations

17 February 2026

This news underscores the increasing importance of South-South Cooperation in a multipolar world. (1) It highlights how India is emerging as a key player in SSC, providing economic and technical assistance to other developing countries. (2) The demand for India's engagement challenges the traditional model of development assistance, where developed countries are the primary providers. (3) The news reveals that SSC is not just about aid, but also about fostering mutually beneficial partnerships based on trade, investment, and technology transfer. (4) The implications of this news are that SSC is likely to become even more important in the future, as developing countries seek to reduce their dependence on traditional donors and build more self-reliant economies. (5) Understanding SSC is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding India's role in the developing world and the changing dynamics of international development.

Brazil President Lula to Visit Delhi, Strengthening Strategic Ties

13 February 2026

The news of President Lula's visit demonstrates the practical application of South-South Cooperation. (1) It highlights the aspect of strengthening bilateral relations and fostering cooperation on shared challenges like climate change. (2) This visit applies the concept by showcasing how two developing countries can work together to address common interests and promote mutual development. (3) The news reveals that SSC is not just about aid, but also about building strategic partnerships and promoting trade and investment. (4) The implications of this news for the concept's future are that SSC is likely to become even more important as developing countries seek to assert greater influence on the global stage. (5) Understanding SSC is crucial for properly analyzing this news because it provides the context for understanding the motivations and goals of both India and Brazil in strengthening their relationship. Without this understanding, the visit might be misinterpreted as simply a diplomatic formality.