India and Liberia Forge Deeper Global South Ties, Eyeing Women's Empowerment

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently met with a Liberian parliamentary delegation in New Delhi, underscoring India's unwavering commitment to strengthening ties within the Global South. The Liberian lawmakers are in India for a week-long 'South-South Peer Learning Mission' aimed at understanding and adopting India's successful development and policy practices, particularly in areas like women's empowerment and financial inclusion. This high-level exchange signals a renewed push for collaborative development and shared progress among developing nations. The visit, which runs from August 10-15, is a significant step in fostering South-South cooperation, funded through the India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) Fund and supported by UN Women. Discussions have ranged from India's flagship social welfare schemes like Jan-Dhan Yojana and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana to initiatives promoting gender-responsive governance. This engagement aligns with India's broader foreign policy vision, articulated by Jaishankar, to amplify the collective voice and strengthen the capacity of the Global South, especially amidst calls for reforms in global governance structures like the UN Security Council. Looking ahead, the Liberian delegation, led by Ellen-Attoh Wreh of the Women's Legislative Caucus, is expected to tour various Indian institutions and programs, gleaning insights to bolster women's political participation and economic empowerment back home. India's proactive diplomacy with African nations, including its emphasis on renewable energy collaboration, indicates a strategic push to solidify its leadership within the Global South. This ongoing dialogue is set to deepen bilateral ties and could inspire similar peer-learning models across developing economies, fostering a more equitable and multipolar global order.