A Volatile World Pushes Global South Towards Trade-led Uneasy Unity
Amid intensifying conflicts across West Asia, Africa, and parts of Latin America, leaders and experts at the World Public Summit highlighted the need for greater unity within the Global South, warning that rising geopolitical fragmentation and resource competition are deepening global instability.It reflected a broader concern that ongoing wars and strategic rivalries are not only disrupting trade and energy flows, but also eroding trust, the foundational element of global economic and political cooperation.
Global Chaos Driven by Power and Resource Contestation
Suresh K. Goel, former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, painted a stark picture of the current global order, describing it as marked by “chaos, confusion and security dilemmas” spanning regions from the Middle East to Africa and Latin America.
He argued that most ongoing conflicts are rooted in three key drivers: competition for resources, geopolitical influence, and political power. These contestations, he noted, are fragmenting the world into competing blocs at a time when interconnectedness is essential.
Goel emphasised that the Global South must respond by strengthening cultural and civilisational dialogue, alongside economic integration. “We need a common, integrated approach where nations are not working in silos but as part of a shared global framework,” he said, highlighting the Indo-Pacific as a relatively stable region that could serve as a model for cooperation.
He also stressed the historical role of trade in fostering cultural ties, pointing out that civilisational exchanges across Asia were built on trade linkages. Reviving this model, he suggested, could help stabilise regions currently affected by conflict.
Strategic Connectivity and Energy Partnerships Gain Importance
Ekaterina Astashina, representing Rosatom in South Asia, highlighted the growing importance of strategic connectivity projects such as the Northern Sea Route (NSR), particularly for emerging economies like India.
She noted that agreements between India and Russia to develop the NSR could significantly reshape global trade logistics by offering alternative routes amid disruptions caused by ongoing conflicts, especially in critical chokepoints.
Astashina emphasised that such partnerships go beyond commerce. Cooperation in nuclear energy, exemplified by projects like Kudankulam, was described as a model of long-term, trust-based engagement that integrates economic growth with technological advancement and human capital development.
“Energy is not just electricity, it is a driver of economic development, technological progress and social engagement,” she said, framing energy cooperation as central to resilience in times of geopolitical uncertainty.
Trust Deficit Raising Cost of the Global Economy
Alexander Ageev, Deputy Secretary General of the Assembly of Peoples of the World, focused on the economic consequences of declining trust in international relations.
“It is too expensive to build an economy on distrust,” he said, arguing that the current global system is increasingly burdened by risk mitigation costs, from security to insurance, due to geopolitical instability.
Ageev called for a values-based framework centred on trust, responsibility and cooperation, particularly involving the Global South. While the summit brought together representatives from over 150 countries, he stressed that meaningful change would depend on grassroots and institutional collaboration across sectors, especially in science and technology.
He highlighted India’s growing role in this ecosystem, particularly in areas such as nuclear energy, governance technologies and scientific innovation, noting strong participation by Indian experts at the summit.
Global South’s Expanding Role in Shaping Future Order
A key theme across discussions was the evolving role of the Global South, not merely as a passive stakeholder, but as an active architect of a new global order.
Speakers argued that countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America must leverage trade, education and technological collaboration to counterbalance instability caused by great power rivalries and ongoing wars.
There was also a strong push for building shared institutions, including educational and knowledge platforms, to foster long-term cooperation. Reviving models akin to ancient centres of learning, such as Nalanda, was cited as a way to integrate knowledge, culture and economic growth.
While wars and geopolitical tensions continue to disrupt the global system, they also present an opportunity for the Global South to redefine international cooperation.
By prioritising trust, connectivity and cultural dialogue, emerging economies can not only mitigate the impact of ongoing conflicts but also shape a more inclusive and stable global architecture.
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