Can India Lead the World Without Winning Its Neighbours’ Trust?

On the global stage, India is moving fast to position itself as a key player the voice of the Global South and a builder of a new world order. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, New Delhi has sought to amplify the concerns of developing nations, demand reforms in global power structures, and emerge as a responsible, generous partner.

Recent successes deepening ties with Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, hosting the Voice of Global South Summit, securing African Union’s permanent G20 membership, and initiatives like Vaccine Maitri all signal India’s ambition to be seen as a trusted friend rather than just a “guru.” Modi’s July visits to Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil, and Namibia brought new agreements on defence, trade, and diaspora relations and earned him the highest civilian honours from four nations.

Yet, this dazzling diplomacy hides a hard question:

Can India truly lead the Global South if it hasn’t yet won the hearts of its own neighbours?

India’s “Neighbourhood First” policy often rings hollow in practice. Regional relations remain fraught with tension, distrust, and missed opportunities. Leadership isn’t won with might alone; it’s earned through trust and that trust begins at home.

To truly rise as the Global South’s leader, India must embody four principles in its neighbourhood:

Respect: honouring the sovereignty and sensitivities of its neighbours.

Equality: treating all partners, big or small, as equals.

Dialogue: fostering honest, open, and regular conversations.

Collaboration: working transparently on shared projects with shared ownership.

Without these, India leaves space for rivals like China to fill the gaps investing heavily in roads, ports, and energy across South Asia.

For India, the first step to repairing regional trust could start with Nepal extending a formal invitation to Nepal’s Prime Minister for a high-level visit. Such a move would symbolise respect, willingness to turn the page, and readiness to tackle thorny issues like border disputes and trade barriers.

Next, India could host an informal regional gathering a dinner, not an agenda-driven summit allowing South Asian leaders to connect personally, bypassing the procedural deadlocks of forums like SAARC.

These humble yet meaningful gestures could redefine India’s leadership as patient, respectful, and authentic. Before India can call itself a Vishwamitra a friend of the world it must first become a true friend to its neighbours. Leadership begins not with grand speeches but with quiet, consistent acts of trust and respect. If India embraces this truth, it can secure its place not just as a powerful nation, but as a peaceful, dignified, and credible leader of the Global South and beyond.