In a bold move, India has decided to push back against global ranking agencies that produce country rankings on various topics like governance and press freedom. Sanjeev Sanyal, a key advisor to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasized that these rankings are often influenced by an "agenda-driven" approach and criticized them as "neo-colonial." In an exclusive interview with Reuters, Sanyal revealed that India has already started raising concerns about the flawed methodologies used by these agencies at global forums.
Sanyal shed light on the fact that these rankings are compiled by a select few "think-tanks in the North Atlantic" sponsored by a handful of funding agencies. He believes that this limited group is driving a specific real-world agenda, which has far-reaching consequences beyond mere narrative-building. Sanyal highlighted the direct impact these rankings have on trade, investment, and other crucial activities.
India's frustration with the rankings is not unfounded. For instance, in the recently released World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, India ranked lower than both Afghanistan and Pakistan. Similarly, in the academic freedom index by the V-Dem Institute, India ranked below Pakistan and Bhutan. These rankings, often considered influential indicators, can shape international perceptions and affect key aspects of a nation's development.
Over the past year, India has been actively voicing concerns about the flawed methodologies employed by institutions like the World Bank, World Economic Forum (WEF), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in compiling their indices. According to Sanyal, the World Bank's involvement in endorsing these opinions from select think-tanks through the "world governance index" further amplifies their impact.
Despite the significance of these rankings, the agencies in question, including the World Bank, WEF, Reporters Without Borders, and the V-Dem Institute, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Only the UNDP assured a forthcoming response.
Sanyal further pointed out that these rankings become deeply embedded in decision-making processes, particularly through the lens of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) norms and sovereign ratings. Multilateral development banks often provide subsidized loans exclusively to projects that comply with ESG standards.
Sanyal clarified that the idea of having ESG norms is not inherently problematic. The real issue lies in how these norms are defined and who determines compliance. He expressed concerns that, as things stand, developing countries are being excluded from the conversation, intensifying the imbalance and potentially perpetuating a neo-colonial agenda.
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the matter has been taken up by India's Cabinet Secretariat, which has already conducted numerous meetings on the issue this year. However, neither the Cabinet Secretariat nor the finance ministry provided an immediate response to requests for comment.
India, under its G20 presidency, has vowed to advocate for developing countries. Although it remains unclear whether India has raised the issue of country rankings with the G20, Sanyal revealed that other developing nations share similar concerns. He emphasized the need for concerned ministries to establish benchmarks and engage in continuous dialogue with rating agencies.
As India prepares to challenge the status quo, several upcoming indices are being closely monitored by the country. These include the financial development index by the International Monetary Fund, gender inequality and human development indices by the UNDP, and logistics performance and worldwide governance indicators by the World Bank.
India's decision to confront global ranking agencies reflects its commitment to fairness, independence, and a more equitable representation of developing countries in the global narrative. By challenging the flawed methodologies employed by these agencies, India aims to establish a more inclusive and accurate evaluation framework that better reflects its progress and potential. As the nation takes a bold stance against these rankings,
By challenging the existing system, India hopes to address the concerns shared by many developing nations who view these rankings as a form of neo-colonialism. Sanyal emphasized that India is not alone in this struggle and highlighted the need for collective action among developing countries to rectify the biases and limitations of the current rankings.
To effectively address these issues, India has urged concerned ministries to establish benchmarks and engage in continuous dialogue with rating agencies. By actively participating in the discourse and shaping the definition and measurement of compliance with ESG norms, India seeks to ensure a fairer representation and inclusion of developing nations. This proactive approach aims to create a more balanced and comprehensive evaluation system that captures the unique circumstances and progress of each country.
As India assumes its role as an advocate for developing countries under its G20 presidency, it remains to be seen whether the issue of country rankings will be raised at this influential forum. The G20 provides a platform for global leaders to discuss and address pressing economic and development issues, making it an ideal arena for India to amplify its concerns and rally support for reforming the ranking system.
In the midst of India's efforts to challenge global ranking agencies, there are several upcoming indices that the country is closely monitoring. These include the financial development index by the International Monetary Fund, the gender inequality and human development indices by the UNDP, and the logistics performance and worldwide governance indicators by the World Bank. By monitoring these indices and actively engaging with the agencies responsible, India aims to ensure that the evaluation frameworks are comprehensive, fair, and transparent.
India's decision to push back against "agenda-driven" and "neo-colonial" country rankings represents a significant step towards a more equitable global evaluation system. As India's concerns gain momentum and resonate with other developing nations, it has the potential to spark a broader discussion and drive necessary reforms in the way countries are assessed and ranked.
The outcome of India's efforts could redefine the parameters of evaluation, ensuring a more accurate representation of the diverse challenges, progress, and potential of developing countries. By actively challenging the flaws in existing methodologies and advocating for fairness and independence, India is paving the way for a more inclusive and balanced global narrative. The world eagerly awaits the unfolding of this paradigm shift in the realm of global rankings and the impact it may have on shaping a more equitable and just future for all nations.
