International RelationsImportant2025-03-03

ITEC Capacity Building Programme for Global South

In News

What Happened

On March 3, 2025, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) launched a six-day ITEC Executive Capacity Building Programme in New Delhi. The event hosted 47 senior-level functionaries from the National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) of 14 Global South countries. The programme focuses on sharing India's institutional expertise and best practices in human rights protection and promotion.

Why It Matters

This initiative reinforces India's diplomatic position as a leader and voice of the Global South. By sharing its human rights framework through the established ITEC platform, India strengthens South-South Cooperation and builds soft power among developing nations.

Background

History & Context

The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme was instituted in 1964 by the MEA as a flagship bilateral assistance program to help developing countries. The NHRC was established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Act to protect and promote human rights in India. Integrating NHRC's expertise with ITEC's global reach aligns with India's broader foreign policy goal of fostering institutional capacity building across the Global South.

What Changed

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BEFORE: Human rights training and institutional frameworks in developing countries often heavily relied on Western models and funding. NOW: India is providing a structured platform for Global South nations to share experiences and build capacities based on shared socio-economic realities.
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BEFORE: Multilateral engagement between NHRIs of developing nations was often sporadic or limited to UN-sponsored events. NOW: The ITEC programme formalizes direct institutional capacity building and networking among 14 Global South nations simultaneously in New Delhi.
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BEFORE: The ITEC programme traditionally focused heavily on technical, economic, IT, and defense training. NOW: The scope visibly expands to encompass specialized executive training in human rights administration, jurisprudence, and protection mechanisms.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This connects to Class 12 Political Science (Contemporary World Politics), specifically concepts in the 'International Organisations' and 'Alternative Centres of Power' chapters. It practically demonstrates India's active pursuit of South-South Cooperation and its evolving role in shaping global human rights discourse independently of traditional Western-led institutions.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

With reference to the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme and the NHRC, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The ITEC programme is a bilateral assistance program administered by the Ministry of External Affairs. 2. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a constitutional body established under the Constitution of India.

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