NEW DELHI: In the backdrop of India’s commitment to bring concerns and challenges of Global South on the centre-stage during its G20 presidency, a two-day Voice of the Global South Summit was held on January 12. The virtual summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister NarendraModi, further consolidated his position as a world leader and as the voice of unrepresented countries in global sweepstakes.
In his opening remarks, PM Modi said that the “world is in a state of crisis” as there seems to be no end to conflicts, geo-political tensions, global inflation, climate crisis and a resurgent Covid-19.
Gives new mantra
In the light of the challenges faced by the Global South, the Prime Minister gave a new mantra. “To re-energise the world, we should together call for a global agenda of Respond, Recognise, Respect, Reform,” he said.
PM Modi reassured leaders of the developing world about India’s commitment to issues and concerns of Global South and that they will find their rightful place during India’s G20 presidency. He emphasised, “your voice is India’s voice” and “your priorities are India’s priorities”. He added: “We, the Global South, have the largest stakes in the future. Most of the global challenges have not been created by the Global South. But they affect us more”.
The idea of oneness
The Prime Minister said that India’s G20 presidency theme of-‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ and agendas are reflective of the nation’s deep-rooted resolve towards making international order more inclusive. He said the Idea of “oneness” is ingrained in India’s “civilisational ethos”. India is committed to “amplifying” the voices of Global South, he asserted.
“Three fourths of humanity lives in our countries. We should also have equivalent voice. Hence, as the eight-decade old model of global governance slowly changes, we should try to shape the emerging order,” he said.
The PM appealed for a wider participation in both Voice of the Global South Summit and G20 through participation in discussions and debates of G20 meetings. As, for far too long, developing countries have been sitting on the fences, India G20 presidency is the opportune moment “to redesign global political and financial governance,” he said.
Innovation & technology
Furthermore, he expressed India’s willingness to share experiences and expertise in the field of innovation and technology with Global South countries. He said, “India has always shared its developmental experience with our brothers of the Global South.” He added, “India looks forward to simple, scalable and sustainable solutions from all over the Global South that can ensure the betterment of our people.”
India’s innovation in digital public goods particularly in universal identification, financial payments and direct benefit transfer has often been often lauded by world leaders and multilateral development organisations like the World Bank and the IMF.
PM Modi said that through its G20 presidency India will push for a wider acceptance of ideas like differentiated responsibilities, respect and compliance of international law and respect for territorial sovereignty. Reform of multilateral institution to reflect the need of the hour, will be one of the key priority during its presidency.
