VP Radhakrishnan Calls for Stronger Global South Cooperation

• VP calls for stronger Global South cooperation.
• IN-STEP brings together 38 delegates and participants.
• Focus areas include AI, cyber security and energy security.
• Radhakrishnan urges coordinated action against corruption.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 25th Sept: Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan called for sustained international dialogue, mutual learning and greater strategic cooperation among countries of the Global South to address emerging security and developmental challenges.

Addressing delegates of the fourth edition of the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) at Up-Rashtrapati Bhawan, Radhakrishnan said the increasingly interconnected nature of the world requires countries to work together rather than address emerging challenges in isolation.

He welcomed 38 delegates and participants, including 25 international delegates from 22 countries, and highlighted the participation of senior professionals and leaders from friendly and like-minded countries, particularly those from the Global South.

Security challenges becoming increasingly interconnected
Radhakrishnan said the global strategic environment is undergoing rapid transformation, with traditional security concerns increasingly intersecting with challenges related to technology, cyberspace, artificial intelligence, energy security, economic resilience, maritime security, climate change and supply chains.

He said IN-STEP provides participants an opportunity to develop a broader strategic perspective, assess the long-term implications of global developments and formulate appropriate responses.

The Vice-President outlined three principles for the programme: “Think globally, engage strategically, and act in cohesion.” He said shared challenges can often be addressed more effectively through cooperation, coordination and collective efforts.

Focus on Global South
The Vice-President highlighted the role of the Global South in international discussions, pointing to the diverse experiences and developmental priorities of developing countries in areas such as resilience, development, security, governance and cooperation.

He said India’s engagement with the Global South is guided by mutual respect, shared interests, sovereign equality and recognition of individual countries’ developmental and strategic priorities.

Call for coordinated action against corruption
Radhakrishnan identified corruption as a major challenge facing countries of the Global South and called for coordinated efforts to address it.

He urged participants to work towards building corruption-free systems at all levels and emphasised the importance of integrity and transparency in public life.

Technology should serve humanity
The Vice-President also highlighted the importance of ensuring that scientific and technological progress benefits people globally.

Referring to India’s Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said technological advancements and scientific innovations should contribute to the collective good of humanity. He linked this approach to the Indian ethos of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, or the idea of one Earth and one family.

38 delegates participate in fourth IN-STEP edition
The fourth edition of IN-STEP includes 38 delegates, comprising 25 international delegates representing 22 countries. Participants include representatives from Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mongolia, Nepal, Mauritius, Maldives, Oman, Guyana, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines, Thailand, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Brazil.

The two-week programme is jointly organised by the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence and National Security Council Secretariat, in collaboration with the National Defence College.

The programme provides a platform for senior professionals to exchange perspectives on strategic, security and developmental issues while strengthening institutional and professional linkages.

The previous editions of IN-STEP were held in March 2024, October 2024 and October-November 2025.