CSOs in Indian development cooperation: towards an enabling environment

Abstract: This paper argues that the capacities Indian CSOs have acquired in other developing countries could create a wider impact for India’s official aid, if the government became more willing to incorporate such expertise. The chapter firstbriefly introduces India’s cooperation modalities within the broad tradition of South-South cooperation (SSC), before discussing contributions made by Indian CSOs nationally and internationally. It provides some concrete examples of cooperation between these CSOs and stakeholders in other developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. It draws some critical lessons from these examples as they pertain to SSC principles and practice. The author next highlights challenges that Indian CSOs face in practicing SSC, particularly the constraints imposed by the current legal and regulatory environment within India. The author then discusses recent CSO advocacy efforts, including their engagement in the multilateral processes set up by Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS). The final section offers some concrete suggestions for creating an enabling environment for Indian CSOs in order to make India’s development cooperation more open and inclusive.

Post description

  • Publication year: 2017
  • Content type: Research Paper
  • Form of cooperation: Comprehensive (Lines of credit, grants and loans, and technical assistance).
  • Cooperation context: Multilateral
  • Sector: Multisectoral
  • Institution (publication): Participatory Research In Asia
  • Author (and co-authors): Kaustuv Kanti Bandyopadhyay 
  • Keywords: South-South cooperation; India’s development cooperation; Civil Society Organisations (CSOs); Asia; Africa; BRICS multilateral initiatives
  • Link: https://www.pria.org/knowledge_resource/1530594811_KKB%20Research_revised_final.pdf