For three consecutive years, Switzerland has been ranked the best country in the world by U.S. News & World Report. Among the many reasons behind this consistent achievement – its quality of life, political stability, and economic strength – stands one defining feature: neutrality. That centuries-old commitment has transformed the Alpine nation into the headquarters of more than 200 international organizations, ranging from the United Nations’ European headquarters in Geneva to the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne and the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.
Switzerland’s ability to host global institutions is not merely symbolic; it is an enduring strategy that has placed the country at the very centre of diplomacy, law, finance, and humanitarian work. India , t h e world’s largest democracy, the fastest-growing major economy, and the voice of the Global South, has reached a moment in history when it must embrace a similar strategy. Beyond being a rising power and a moral voice on issues like climate justice, food security, and equitable trade, India must actively aspire to become a host for more international organizations.
If Switzerland’s neutrality made it the “Capital of Peace,” India’s scale, diversity, and civilizational ethos make it a natural contender for becoming the “Capital of the Global South.” Unlike Switzerland, whose neutrality kept it outside conflicts, India’s strength lies in its ability to engage – balancing relations with the U.S., Russia, China , Europe, Africa, and West Asia. It has emerged as a reliable voice articulating the concern of developing nations in forums such as the G20, BRICS, and the United Nations. Already, India has one remarkable success story: the International Solar Alliance, headquartered in Gurugram, which today counts over 120 member nations.
That institution has not only boosted India’s reputation in renewable energy but also established a model for how India can provide permanent platforms for global cooperation. But one International Solar Alliance is not enough. To cement its role in global governance, India must become a permanent home for multiple organizations across diverse fields – climate change, food security, digital governance, health, and humanitarian law. The reasons India is ready are compelling. It sits at the crossroads of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific, with deep ties to Africa and the Arab world. Its demographic weight, representing one-sixth of humanity, gives it legitimacy as the voice of billions. Its economy, growing faster than any other major power, provides stability and opportunity.
Its democratic institutions, despite all challenges, remain robust and credible. And its diversity mirrors the diversity of the world itself, with 22 scheduled languages, countless dialects, and English as a unifying medium. If Switzerland thrives on neutrality, India thrives on inclusivity. The civilizational vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – the world is one family – is not a slogan but a lived reality that makes India uniquely suited to host global institutions. This spirit is not new. For centuries, India has been seen as a land where ideas, people, and cultures met and flourished. The ethos of Atithi Devo Bhava – the guest is equivalent to God – has ensured that India’s tradition of hospitality is unmatched.
The rise of India as a diplomatic and economic power has now revived an ancient aspiration: to become a Viswaguru, a teacher and guide to the world. Hosting international organizations is the most direct and visible way to embody that role. Just as Geneva became synonymous with humanitarian law, Delhi or Bengaluru can one day become synonymous with climate justice, digital ethics, or South-South cooperation. India’s leadership is already evident. It has shown the world how to organize digital governance through initiatives like Aadhaar and UPI, both of which have inspired replication in many developing countries. It has led the fight for vaccine equity during the Covid-19 pandemic, earning goodwill across Asia and Africa.
It has launched ambitious space programmes , symbolizing technological capability at affordable cost. And it has hosted the G20 with remarkable success, turning global attention to the priorities of the Global South. But summits are temporary showcases. Permanent headquarters are enduring symbols. When global institutions operate out of Indian cities, the world will see India not only as a stage for dialogue but as a foundation for action. The practical benefits of hosting international organizations are also significant. Thousands of diplomats, officials, and researchers working in India would create a long-term network of goodwill.
The economic value in terms of high-value employment, international visibility, and urban development would be immense. More importantly, the presence of these organizations would anchor India’s influence in global governance, ensuring that its voice is not just heard but embedded in the structures that shape international law, climate policy, and technological regulation. Of course, challenges exist. India must ensure that international organisations experience seamless operations, with predictable regulations, easy visas, modern communication facilities, and diplomatic immunity here required.
Switzerland became attractive not only because of neutrality but also because of predictability. India must offer the same assurance: that whatever the changes in domestic politics, the environment for global institutions will remain stable and welcoming. The world today is polarized and divided. Old powers are locked in strategic competition, while the Global South demands recognition and justice. In this landscape, India represents balance – large enough to lead, democratic enough to be trusted, and inclusive enough to embrace all. Switzerland offered neutrality in the twentieth century. India can offer representation in the twenty-first . By hosting international organizations, India can transform its growing influence into permanent leadership.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “The future depends on what we do in the present.” For India, the present is rich with opportunity. If it truly wishes to be the guiding teacher of the world, it must not limit itself to being a host of summits. It must become the permanent home of global institutions. If Switzerland taught the world the power of neutrality, India can teach the world the power of inclusivity. The twenty-first century will not only belong to those who command power but also to those who create platforms for cooperation. By opening its doors to international organizations, India can show that its rise is not for itself alone but for the world as one family.
(The writer is Professor, Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry Central University.)