Third World Countries List Explained: Will Trump’s Ban Affect India?

International

-Madhuri Adnal

Updated: Friday, November 28, 2025, 15:38 [IST]

The Trump administration recently declared a thorough review of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from specific countries. This announcement follows an incident involving an Afghan national who shot two National Guard members near the White House. As a result, Donald Trump stated the U.S. would "permanently pause migration" from nations he termed as "Third World Countries." Trump's criticism of previous immigration policies was evident in his heated posts on Truth Social.

Trump plans to eliminate migration from these countries to let the U.S. recover fully. He vowed to cancel all of Joe Biden's so-called "illegal admissions," including those signed by the former president's autopen. Additionally, Trump aims to remove anyone not considered a "net asset" to the U.S. and cut federal benefits to non-citizens. He also intends to deport individuals seen as public charges or security threats. However, Trump did not clarify which nations fall under his "Third World" categorization.

Understanding the Term 'Third World'

The term "Third World" was introduced by French demographer Alfred Sauvy in 1952 during the Cold War. Initially, it described nations not aligned with either the capitalist or communist blocs, primarily in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Under this definition, even developed countries like Switzerland and Finland were considered "Third World," despite their economic status today.

After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the phrase's political meaning faded, and it became associated with economically disadvantaged nations. Today, "Third World" often refers to countries with high poverty levels, political instability, and poor industrialization. This shift in meaning leads to confusion about which countries are included.

Modern Alternatives to 'Third World'

Due to the derogatory connotations of "Third World," terms like "developing countries," "least developed countries," or "low-income countries" are preferred. Organisations like the United Nations and the World Bank use these terms based on factors such as income and human development. The effort to replace "Third World" aims to avoid confusion and negative stereotypes associated with the term.

The United Nations recognises 44 countries as Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which receive special assistance, market access, and technical support. As of December 2024, these include 32 African nations, 8 Asian countries, 1 Caribbean nation, and 3 Pacific states. These classifications are based on economic vulnerabilities and development needs, rather than outdated geopolitical notions.

India's Classification

India's inclusion in Trump's proposed category remains uncertain due to the lack of a clear definition. Under Sauvy's Cold War concept, India was non-aligned and might have been classified as "Third World." In modern terms, India is considered a developing country rather than an LDC. The United Nations does not include India in its list of 44 least developed nations.

According to the World Population Review, India appears on the 2025 list of "Third World" countries based on its Human Development Index of 0.685. However, Trump's remarks lack policy clarity, leaving India's inclusion in his proposed immigration halt ambiguous.