The diplomacy of the India, Brazil, South Africa dialogue forum : trilateral opportunities and global limitations

Abstract

This study examines the evolution of the India, Brazil, South Africa Dialogue Forum (IBSA) which was formed in 2003 by these three regional-powers which are also pivotal emerging democracies of the South. IBSA not only represents a new approach to South-South co-operation but also in the conduct of international relations. Its primary multilateral objective is to counter-balance the dominance of the North, led by the USA, in interstate relations and in particular by attempting to shape and influence the agendas and structures of global governance in the interests of developing countries. The emergence of IBSA represents some of the foreign policy responses and activism of emerging regional-powers to the widening political, economic and social differences between the developing South and the developed North. This is considered in terms of relevant theoretical and conceptual frameworks. The empirical core of the study concentrates on how IBSA countries, on one hand, apply diplomacy to advance trilateral co-operation amongst themselves; and, on the other, the extent to which they are able to influence the management of the global system of governance. A critical aspect of this in an examination of the tensions and limitations that arise between IBSA’s trilateral agenda which promotes instrumental or material ends and objectives, and the aspirations of its global agenda with respect to normative goals and objectives of promoting fairness and equity in the international system. The study identifies areas that are critical for strengthening trilateral sectoral co-operation and opportunities to boost South-South co-operation. It also assesses whether the scope of the IBSA global agenda is feasible given the structural limitations faced by middle-powers in global governance. It concludes with a critical summation of these issues, with some reflection of what the establishment of BRICS portends for the future of IBSA. Finally, it presents recommendations for the strengthening and rationalisation of IBSA’s trilateral sectoral co-operation and global agendas in order to sustain the promotion of South-South co-operation as the key objective of the Forum.