India has expanded its vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions). In his media statement, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi announced that SAGAR vision, meant primarily for Indian Ocean countries, is now primed to expand to include other regions and therefore needs to be rechristened as MAHASAGAR. Mauritius was chosen carefully for the announcement of MAHASAGAR to commemorate SAGAR where the latter was ten years ago in 2015.

MAHASAGAR envisages cooperation in “trade for development”, “capacity building for sustainable growth”, and “mutual security for a shared future” wherein the countries of the Global South would benefit by “technology sharing” and “concessional loans and grants”. In fact MAHASAGAR dovetails into Prime Minister Modi’s idea of the Global Development Compact (GDC) which is based on India's own experiences of “development partnerships”. The GDC, according to Prime Minister Modi is “human-centric and multi-dimensional for development and will promote multi-sectoral approach. It will not burden the needy countries with debt in the name of development finance,” He also announced that a special fund of US$ 2.5 million for training on issues of “trade policy and trade negotiation” leading to capacity building.

There are at least five reasons for Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for MAHASAGAR. First, it builds upon SAGAR which has resonated among the countries of the Indian Ocean region. SAGAR encompasses political, security, economic, and socio-cultural engagements. India also promoted a free, open, inclusive and rules-based order in which sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations is respected and disputes are resolved in peaceful manner. Through the SAGAR vision India emerged as the ‘net security provider’ in the Indian Ocean and delivered goods and services during catastrophic events such as the COVID 19, natural disasters, security and safety assistance at sea and also helped smaller countries through capacity building.

Second MAHASAGAR is an expanded geography and includes countries across continents, particularly in the southern hemisphere. It constitutes “broad category” of countries i.e. Global South, which are diverse in their political systems, economic development and social-cultural character, but are united “to solve mutual challenges such as poverty, population growth, war, disease, and border issues”. World Population Review (2025) identifies 131  states as Global South countries.

Third, MAHASAGAR includes new partners and offers cooperation opportunities for “trade development” based on “dialogue, transparency and respect” which results in fair play in international trade. It is inclusive in character and supports sustainable development through favourable trading conditions amongst diverse stakeholders-especially Global South, thus taking care of the rights of producers and workers across all levels.

Fourth, MAHASAGAR emphasises “capacity building for sustainable growth” in which countries of the Global South benefit by developing capabilities through actionable strategies and effective implementation. It encompasses “training and technical skill development, organizational strengthening and improving governance”.

Fifth, “mutual security for a shared future” wherein the focus is on human-centric ‘security’ with, multi-dimensional approach to development.

Since the G20 Summit in 2023, India has been positioning itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South or the developing nations. The MAHASAGAR vision has the potential to resonate across countries and regions of the Global South, similar to the SAGAR visions that echoed across the Indian Ocean. New Delhi aims to “bring the voice of the Global South to the global high table”. However, it will have to prepare for managing the Global North as well as the ongoing great power competition between the US led West, and Russia and China.

Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is Professor and Head, Center of Excellence for Geopolitics and International Studies (CEGIS), REVA University, Bengaluru and is associated with Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.