During the Voice of Global South Summit on Thursday, Indian PM Narendra Modi asserted that the “world is in a state of crisis” and the Global South “should try to shape the emerging order.”
MODI’S OPENING REMARKS
While addressing the inaugural session to leaders of Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Mongolia, Mozambique, Guyana, Senegal, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea virtually, Modi acknowledged that the past year had been a “difficult” one due to war, terrorism and geo-political tensions, increases in food, fertilizer, and fuel prices, climate-change driven natural disasters, and long-term economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing the inaugural session of "Voice of Global South Summit." https://t.co/i9UdGR7sYH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 12, 2023
Saying that it was hard to “predict how long this state of instability will last,” the PM remarked that most of the global challenges “affect” the Global South more despite it not being responsible for them. Moreover, the quest for “solutions also does not factor in our role or our voice,” he emphasised.
In addition, Modi remarked that during India’s ongoing G20 presidency, “it is natural that our aim is to amplify the Voice of the Global South.” He further called on developing countries to attempt redesigning global political and financial governance to remove inequalities, increase opportunities, and support growth.
Accordingly, he announced a universal agenda of ‘Respond, Recognise, Respect and Reform’ to focus on the priorities of the Global South by framing an inclusive and balanced international agenda, recognising the principle of ‘Common but Differentiated Responsibilities,’ respecting the sovereignty of all nations, and reforming international institutions, including the UN, to make them more relevant.
The Voice of the Global South needs to set its own tone. pic.twitter.com/JTXoajM3IP
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 12, 2023
“Despite the challenges the developing world faces, I remain optimistic that our time is coming,” Modi affirmed, adding that the Global South can support each other “to create a new World Order that will ensure the welfare of our citizens.”
“As far as India is concerned, your Voice is India’s Voice. Your Priorities are India’s Priorities,” Modi declared.
MODI’S CLOSING COMMENTS
While delivering his closing comments, PM Modi accepted that “human-centric development is an important priority for developing countries,” and that the session brought forth pressing concerns such as the lack of resources for development and growing instability in both the natural and geopolitical climate.
“The Voice of the Global South needs to set its own tone,” he stated, adding, “Together, we need to escape the cycle of dependency on systems and circumstances which are not of our making.”
JAISHANKAR’S REMARKS
In his address to the Foreign Ministers’ session at the event, Indian Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar reiterated that India’s G20 Presidency can gather the “voice, the perspectives, the priorities of the Global South” and articulate them clearly in debates.
“Those who were promised an interconnected world now actually see a world with higher walls, insensitive to social needs, and discriminatory in its health practices,” he stated.
5️⃣ Press for adequate resources to ensure climate action and climate justice;
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 12, 2023
6️⃣fight new economic & technological barriers that inhibit our growth;
7️⃣ Assert the primacy of rule of law,respect for territorial integrity& sovereignty &relying on diplomacy to resolve differences.
Jaishankar also listed the three fundamentals to create a conducive environment for a ‘Global South sensitive’ model of globalisation.
First, changing the model of globalisation from self-centred to human-centred globalisation, meaning “shifting the focus more on development as a whole.”
Second, a different approach to innovation and technology, that is, deploying Global South-led innovations instead of being on the receiving end of technological patronage.
Lastly, switching to sustainable development cooperation in place of debt-creating projects.
The Inaugural Leaders’ Session of #VoiceOfGlobalSouth Summit is underway.
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) January 12, 2023
PM @narendramodi is joined by leaders of 10 countries from across the globe in deliberations on working towards building a prosperous future.
For PM’s closing remarks, watch https://t.co/7rcVoO8SNs pic.twitter.com/HHHxpi10gs
INDIA’S G20 PRESIDENCY GOALS ALIGN WITH GLOBAL SOUTH’S AMBITIONS
India’s G20 Presidency’s theme is “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which aligns perfectly with the Voice of the Global South Summit’s concept of “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose,” wherein over 120 countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, which are not a part of G20, have been invited to share their concerns and expectations from G20.
According to Indian officials, this is part of Modi’s vision that India’s G20 presidency will be formed in consultation with not only its partner countries, but also fellow Global South members, whose concerns often go unacknowledged.