Illustration: Tang Tengfei/Global Times

From the recently concluded G20 Summit to the G77+China Summit, there has been a noticeable trend across these multilateral mechanisms, wherein the Global South countries have seen a significant strengthening of their voices. 

Southern countries are increasingly displaying a level of solidarity that surpasses previous instances. This unequivocally demonstrates that the collective rise of global southern nations is an irreversible and undeniable trend.

In light of this significant trend, the US-led West is experiencing a diminishing ability to unilaterally dictate the agendas or declarations. Summit agendas and joint statements are increasingly aligning with the priorities of Southern countries, including their aspirations for economic development. Any attempts by the US-led West to divert the conference agenda away from the concerns of the developing world are unlikely to succeed.

The international community has also noted that previous US administrations have taken a patronizing attitude toward developing nations, neglecting their voices in global agendas. However, the situation has undergone a significant transformation. 

Prior to the South Africa BRICS Summit this year, an unprecedented number of nearly 50 countries applied to join BRICS. In the face of the rising trend in Global South, the US has begun to exhibit signs of concern and unease.

It is evident that the US strategy toward developing countries has undergone a transformation, moving from initial neglect and resistance to subsequent smear campaigns and suppression. Currently, the focus of the US strategy appears to be based on a divide and conquer approach. The US has persistently undermined and tarnished the BRICS cooperation mechanism over an extended period of time. 

Developing countries should be cautious of the US' intensified attempts to foster division within multilateral cooperation among developing nations, following its setback of manipulating agenda at the G20 summit.

The US strategically seeks to woo countries that it believes share its similar ideological or democratic values, such as India. In the past, the US employed tactics such as media and academic collaboration, government support, and financial backing to undermine cooperation with other developing countries. Its current approach involves proposing development plans specifically targeting developing nations. An example of this is the US' support for India's India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) initiative during the G20 summit.

The intention of the US and India in wooing Saudi Arabia, a country which has recently joined the BRICS mechanism, through IMEC, is to counterbalance the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and undermine China's influential international public goods in developing countries worldwide. It can be confidently asserted that these economic cooperation initiatives by the US-led small group, which are fueled by geopolitical calculations, are difficult to succeed. 

Firstly, the countries that the US attempts to woo, including India, are well aware of the US' intentions. They understand that the intentions of the US and the West are driven by self-interest. They also recognize that they are not being treated as equal partners, but rather as instruments to be utilized in the West's agenda against China. 

Secondly, the actions of the US or Western countries are not making substantial investments, but rather promises that may not be fulfilled. Therefore, the prospects of the IMEC program are not likely to succeed. Based on the implementation of similar initiatives or plans by the US in various Southern countries, none of them have been successful so far.

Whether it is the European Global Gateway initiative or the G7-led B3W plan, there have been no concrete actions taken thus far. As a result, it can be confidently asserted that the practical effectiveness of these measures by the US and the West is lacking, failing to achieve the intended outcomes.

For India, it should be aware that its geopolitical intention to compete with China and surging domestic nationalism will be used by the US. From the Voice of Global South Summit held earlier this year to the G20 summit, India has obviously demonstrated its strong aspiration to compete with China and emerge as a global leader among the nations of the Global South.

However, actions speak louder than words. Over the years, it is crystal clear that China has genuinely helped developing countries' economic development with real investment and commitment. The benefits brought by partnerships such as the BRI to developing countries are plain for all to see.

China welcomes countries worldwide to provide supports to developing nations' sustainable development. China strongly advocates for unity among countries in the Global South and believes they should possess institutional power commensurate with their economic size. This is aimed at fostering a more diverse global governance system. China is open to countries that share these goals and encourages their participation in this collective effort.

The author is director of the institute of developing countries at the China Institute of International Studies in Beijing. bizopinion@globaltimes.com.cn