Vice President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan has called for stronger international cooperation among Global South nations to tackle shared challenges in security, technology and development. Speaking at the fourth edition of the International Strategic Engagement Programme (IN-STEP) at Rashtrapati Bhawan on 25 September 2026, he urged participating countries to work together through dialogue and strategic coordination rather than in isolation.
The Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence and National Security Council Secretariat jointly organise IN-STEP at the National Defence College. The two-week programme brings together senior officials and professionals from developing countries to exchange views on pressing global issues and build institutional relationships.
Key facts
- 38 delegates attended the fourth edition, including 25 international participants from 22 countries
- Participating nations included Sri Lanka, Seychelles, Mongolia, Nepal, Mauritius, Maldives, Oman, Guyana, Chile, Argentina, the Philippines, Thailand, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Brazil
- Previous editions held in March 2024, October 2024 and October-November 2025
- Programme jointly organised by Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Defence, National Security Council Secretariat and National Defence College
- Duration: two weeks
What is IN-STEP?
The International Strategic Engagement Programme is a platform designed to bring together senior professionals and leaders from friendly and like-minded countries, especially from the Global South. It emerged from commitments made during India’s presidency of the G20 to create sustained dialogue and mutual learning on strategy and security. The programme operates on the principle that countries can better understand and address global problems through cooperation rather than separate national efforts.
Key challenges the programme addresses
The Vice President identified several interconnected issues facing nations today. These include emerging threats in technology and cyberspace, artificial intelligence, energy security and economic resilience. Maritime security, climate change and global supply chains were highlighted as areas requiring coordinated responses. The Vice President stressed that the traditional divide between security concerns and developmental challenges no longer exists; they are now deeply interwoven.
Core philosophy: Think, Engage, Act
The Vice President outlined three guiding principles for addressing these challenges. Nations must “think globally” to understand how issues ripple across borders. They should “engage strategically” by coordinating their responses. Finally, they must “act in cohesion” rather than pursuing isolated national interests. This approach recognises that shared problems are more effectively solved through collective effort and cooperation.
Focus on corruption and transparency
The Vice President emphasised that corruption remains a major obstacle to development in Global South countries. He called for coordinated international efforts to build clean, transparent systems at all levels of government and public institutions. This reflects a broader concern that weak governance and corruption undermine both security and development progress.
Technology and knowledge sharing
The Vice President stressed that scientific and technological advances should benefit all nations, not remain concentrated in a few wealthy countries. He cited India’s Vaccine Maitri programme, which provided COVID-19 vaccines to developing nations, as an example of this principle in practice. He framed this approach as consistent with the ancient Indian philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One Earth, One Family, One Future), suggesting that innovation and knowledge should be shared for humanity’s collective good.
India’s approach to Global South engagement
The Vice President underlined that India’s partnerships with developing countries rest on mutual respect, shared interests, sovereign equality and recognition of each nation’s individual development and security priorities. He acknowledged the Global South’s diverse experiences and resilience, noting that these countries offer valuable lessons in governance, development, security and cooperation that can benefit the world.
What this means for you
For students and exam aspirants, IN-STEP reflects India’s growing role in shaping international conversations among developing nations. It demonstrates how India is positioning itself as a bridge between the Global South and addressing shared concerns. For those in government, defence and foreign policy, the programme offers networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities with peers from 22 countries. For citizens, it signals India’s commitment to multilateral cooperation on issues from climate change to cybersecurity that affect everyday life.