Ahead of the meeting, India contributed USD 1 million to the IBSA Fund
The 3rd IBSA Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas Meeting recently concluded in Rio de Janeiro, under Brazil's chairship, setting the stage for the upcoming IBSA Foreign Ministers' Meeting where India will be represented by Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan.
 
The meeting, held on February 19-20, 2024, was a critical preparatory step, discussing the full spectrum of IBSA cooperation. This unique forum, uniting India, Brazil, and South Africa, serves as a platform for these three major democracies and economies from different continents to address shared challenges.
 
The Indian delegation for the meeting was led by P Kumaran, OSD (ER and DPA) of the Ministry of External Affairs from India.
 
The concept behind the alliance
IBSA (India, Brazil, and South Africa) Dialogue Forum is a strategic alliance formed to promote international cooperation among these three countries. Officially established with the issuance of the Brasilia Declaration in June 2003, the forum emphasizes consultation and coordination on global and regional political issues, trilateral collaboration across various sectors, and development assistance projects through the IBSA Fund.
 
India's Contribution to IBSA Fund
Ahead of the meeting, India reinforced its commitment to the IBSA Fund for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation by contributing USD 1 million. This contribution reinforced India's ongoing support for the fund, which aims at driving transformational projects in developing countries. Since its operationalization in 2006, India's cumulative contributions have surpassed USD 18 million, highlighting its role in promoting food security, combating HIV/AIDS, and improving access to safe drinking water among other objectives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
Meeting Outcomes
The discussions in Rio de Janeiro focused on enhancing the cooperative framework among the IBSA countries across a range of sectors. With comprehensive deliberations underlining each sector. Cooperation in global political issues and tangible projects aimed at aiding development in other countries, supported by the IBSA Fund were discussed as priority points for the future.
 
Looking Forward
The outcomes of the 3rd IBSA Sherpas and Sous-Sherpas Meeting are expected to lay the groundwork for the IBSA Foreign Ministers' Meeting. With the collective efforts of India, Brazil, and South Africa, the IBSA forum continues to be a key point for South-South cooperation, offering a model of partnership that prioritizes development, mutual respect, and shared goals.
 
The ongoing collaboration within the IBSA framework not only strengthens the ties between these nations but also amplifies their voice on the global stage, advocating for the interests of the Global South and fostering a more equitable international order. As the trio moves forward, their joint initiatives are anticipated to make contributions towards addressing global challenges, setting a norm for cooperation among developing countries.