South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Building a New Development
Architecture

Introduction

The traditional model of North-South aid—based on developed countries giving financial and technical assistance to the developing world—has increasingly proved inadequate in addressing complex global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, inequality, and fragile financing.

In this context, South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) has emerged as a progressive alternative development model. Unlike conditional aid, SSTC emphasizes mutual respect, sovereignty, equality, and demand-driven projects. It has grown into a crucial pillar of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with India playing a leadership role by sharing innovations such as digital public infrastructure, agricultural solutions, and capacity-building programs.

Thus, SSTC is not just a diplomatic catchphrase, but a redefinition of global development partnerships.

Historical Context

• Bandung Conference (1955): First platform for Afro-Asian solidarity against colonialism, economic dependency.
• Non-Aligned Movement (1961): Institutionalised South-South dialogue.
• Dependency Theory (Raul Prebisch): Highlighted structural inequalities in global trade; argued for South-South trade and cooperation.
• Buenos Aires Plan of Action (1978): Formally codified SSC, emphasising cooperation for LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS.
• UN Day for SSTC (12 Sept): Recognises its importance in the 21st century.

What is South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC)?

1. South-South Cooperation (SSC)

• Definition: Partnership among developing countries (Global South), focusing on knowledge-sharing, technical cooperation, and mutual benefit.
• Principles: Sovereignty, equality, non-conditionality, mutual accountability, non-interference in internal affairs.
• Examples: India-Bhutan hydropower projects; Brazil-Mozambique agriculture collaboration.

2. Triangular Cooperation (TrC)

• Involves two or more Southern countries, supported by a developed country or multilateral organisation.
• Example: India-France-UAE trilateral partnership on renewable energy, biodiversity, and climate initiatives.

3. Origins

• Buenos Aires Plan of Action (BAPA, 1978): Institutionalised SSC and highlighted solidarity with Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs), and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• UN Day for SSTC: Celebrated annually on 12 September.

Key Principles:

• South-led Agenda: Priorities defined by developing nations.
• Win-Win Cooperation: Projects benefit all stakeholders equally.
• Development-Oriented: Aligned with SDGs and 2030 Agenda.

How SSTC is Reshaping Global Development

1. Empowerment through Equality and Solidarity

• Unlike donor-driven aid, SSTC respects national sovereignty.
• Builds political and economic self-reliance instead of dependency.
• Example: Buenos Aires Plan (1978) stressed cooperation as equals, not donors and recipients.

2. Economic Contribution of the Global South

• Global South now contributes over 50% of global economic growth.
• Intra-South trade = more than 25% of world trade.
• FDI outflows from the South account for nearly one-third of global flows.
• SSTC taps into these dynamics for shared prosperity.

3. Context-Specific Development Solutions

• SSTC delivers low-cost, scalable, and locally adapted solutions.
• Example:
  • India’s Aadhaar & UPI model shared with Asia and Africa.
  • Digital health platforms in Zambia and Lao PDR.
• Such solutions are grounded in local realities, ensuring sustainability.

4. Strengthening Institutions and Capacities

• SSTC boosts technical knowledge and resource mobilisation.
• Example:
  • India-UN Fund: 75 projects across 56 countries (food security, digital governance, climate resilience).
  • Costa Rica-Dominican Republic-Germany: Coral reef restoration through triangular model.

5. Complementing North-South Cooperation

• SSTC is not a replacement but a complementary approach.
• Triangular Cooperation leverages the finance and expertise of the North with the contextual experience of the South.
• Example: India, France, UAE trilateral → focus on climate, energy, defence in Indian Ocean region.

6. Integration in UN Development Agendas

• Over 60 UN resolutions formally recognise SSTC.
• UN agencies are embedding it into frameworks for climate action, social protection, health, and disaster risk reduction.

7. South-South Networks and Regional Integration

• SSTC promotes regional trade, collective action, and technology exchange.
• Example: During COVID-19, Southern countries pooled expertise and resources when North-South aid slowed down.

India’s Role in Advancing SSTC

1. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing

• ITEC programme and India-UN Global Capacity-Building Initiative spread Indian best practices.
• Projects across Africa, Southeast Asia, Caribbean, covering areas like health, agriculture, digital finance.

2. India-UN Development Partnership Fund (2017)

• Seeded with $150 million.
• Projects in 56 countries; focus on climate resilience, gender equality, renewable energy, health.

3. Digital Public Infrastructure Diplomacy

• Export of UPI, Aadhaar, Co-Win vaccination platform.
• UPI integrated in Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Maldives, UAE, with ongoing expansion to Qatar, Singapore, Malaysia.

4. Food Security and Agriculture

• Collaborations with ICRISAT, DAKSHIN initiative.
• Focus on climate-smart farming, rice fortification, dryland agriculture, supply chain improvements.
• Example: India-Germany cooperation on climate resilience in African agriculture.

5. Global South Leadership

• Voice of Global South Summit hosted by India.
• During G20 Presidency, India secured African Union’s permanent membership in G20.

6. Advocacy in Multilateral Forums

• India supports dedicated development funds for trade and climate resilience.
• Example: In 2023, India provided written financial assurances to IMF for Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring.

Challenges Constraining SSTC

1. Fragmentation & Lack of Coordination

• Absence of unified strategy → duplication of efforts.
• Example: Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (India-Japan) stalled after political change in Japan.

2. Funding Constraints

• Overdependence on voluntary trust funds (India-UN Fund, IBSA Fund).
• Insufficient to meet rising needs, especially in climate and health sectors.

3. Institutional & Technical Weaknesses

• Many Southern countries lack trained personnel and infrastructure for project execution.
• Example: India-Africa Forum Summit delayed since 2015.

4. Geopolitical Tensions

• US-China rivalry influences Africa, West Asia → undermines autonomy of Global South partnerships.

5. Digital Divide

• Large gaps in internet access, human resources, and infrastructure among LDCs and SIDS.
• Limits benefits of digital cooperation like UPI and Aadhaar.

6. Weak Integration with Global Agendas

• While UN resolutions acknowledge SSTC, actual financial commitments remain low.
• Example: Developed countries failed to deliver their $100 bn annual climate finance pledge.

Comparative Dimension

Aspect	North-South Aid	South-South Cooperation
Approach	Donor-recipient	Partnership among equals
Principles	Conditionalities, tied aid	Non-conditionality, sovereignty
Focus	Financial & technical transfer	Knowledge, technology, innovation
Example	OECD aid programs	India’s UPI model export, Brazil’s agri-cooperation

Note: China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), although South-South in form, often criticized as debt-driven. India positions itself differently, promoting sustainable, demand-driven, and inclusive projects.

The Way Forward

1. South-South Solutions Lab

• As proposed in UNOSSC Framework 2022-25, to scale innovations and improve coordination.

2. Innovative Financing Models

• Blended finance, debt swaps, green bonds to fill resource gaps.
• Ensure predictable funding for climate resilience, health, digital infrastructure.

3. Institutional Capacity Building

• Large-scale training and certification in digital governance, disaster risk reduction, health systems.

4. Mainstreaming SSTC in Global Governance

• Integrate into frameworks of UN, IMF, WTO to ensure alignment with global development agenda.

5. Expanding Partnerships

• Go beyond governments → involve private sector, civil society, academia, start-ups.

6. Technology Transfer & Digital Innovation

• Scale up digital public goods for least connected regions.
• Example: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure shared as a global model.

7. Inclusive Development

• Focus on youth, women, and vulnerable groups for leadership in SSTC.

8. Special Support to SIDS and LDCs

• Given their extreme vulnerability to climate and economic shocks, targeted resilience programs are essential.

Conclusion

South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) represents a paradigm shift in global development cooperation, rooted in solidarity, equality, and mutual benefit. Unlike donor-driven aid, SSTC builds ownership, self-reliance, and shared prosperity.

India’s leadership—through digital diplomacy, capacity building, and climate-smart agriculture—has made it a credible voice of the Global South.

As UNOSSC Director Dima Al-Khatib rightly observes:

“Through cooperative efforts, we can pool our resources and expertise to adapt to climate change and pursue sustainable energy alternatives.”

To realise SSTC’s full potential, the world must focus on strengthening institutions, securing predictable financing, and fostering inclusive partnerships. This will transform SSTC into a robust instrument for a just, resilient, and sustainable global future.

Mains Practice Questions

1. Examine how South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) complements North-South aid while addressing developmental challenges in the Global South.
2. Critically analyze India’s role in advancing South-South and Triangular Cooperation. How does it enhance India’s global standing and strategic interests?
3. Do you think South-South Cooperation can become a true alternative to North-South frameworks, or will it remain supplementary? Discuss.