Ahead of his two-day France visit, in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos, Indian PM Narendra Modi said India can act as a bridge between the Global South and the Western World.
The Indian PM also questioned the composition of multilateral governance structures in light of changed global realities and furthered India’s case for permanent membership in the UNSC.
Global South, India’s Role
In the interview, Modi highlighted a feeling of anguish among the Global South countries as they have long been denied their rights.
“[Global South Countries] are forced into undertaking action but when it comes to decision making, they don’t find a place or voice for themselves,” the Indian leader said.
In this interview with @LesEchos, I elaborated on various aspects of India-France relations, the developmental strides in India, the importance of the Global South and several other issues. https://t.co/6Oo95Qe5ha@nicolasbarre_ @clementperruche
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023
In the context of India’s role in the region, Modi stressed that India should not think in terms of being a leader for the Global South. Rather, the Global South needs collective strength so the whole community can take leadership.
Further, the Indian PM remarked, “I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder to propel it ahead.”
He added that India could act as a bridge between the Global South and the North by strengthening linkages between the two. “When we can address the concerns of the vast majority that constitute the Global South, we are more likely to restore faith in the international order,” Modi stressed.
The Indian PM further emphasised that French President Emmanuel Macron shared his views on the international order.
India’s Permanent Membership
Answering a question on India’s permanent membership in the UNSC, Modi asserted that the world needs to have an honest discussion about the multilateral governance structures built in the aftermath of the Second World War.
He criticised the UN’s underrepresentation of countries and continents, saying, “How can [the UN] claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member?”
Modi said that the UN’s skewed membership leads to opaque decision-making processes.
Making a case for India’s permanent membership in the UN, the Indian PM remarked that, with changing times, “There is a natural expectation of adjustments in the international system and institutions to give the rightful place to the world’s largest democracy.”
PM Narendra Modi, in an interview with French newspaper Les Echos, speaks about challenges in the Indo-Pacific region; says, "Our (India & France) interests in the Indo-Pacific region are vast, and our engagement is deep. I have described our vision for this region in one word -… pic.twitter.com/K4mhlfJYdV
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023
On Ukraine Conflict
Regarding the Ukraine conflict, the Indian leader reiterated, “It is not an era of war.”
Modi said that he had urged Russia and Ukraine to resolve issues through dialogue and diplomacy and assured India’s support to all genuine efforts to help end this conflict.
He said that he believes all countries have an obligation to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of other countries, abide by international law, and adhere to the UN Charter.
He expressed deep concern about the impact of the conflict on the wider world, especially the Global South. He said that the countries already suffering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic now face energy, food and health crises, economic slowdowns, inflation and a rising debt burden from war. “The conflict must end,” the Indian PM said.