Indian PM Narendra Modi addressed Monday’s G20 Development Ministers’ meeting in Varanasi via video, highlighting that development is a “core issue for the Global South.”
On The Global South
Modi emphasised the severe impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shortages of food, fuel, and fertilisers caused by the political tensions. In this regard, he said that it is the “collective responsibility” of the international community to “not let the Sustainable Development Goals fall behind.
He urged the G20 ministers to ensure “that no one if left behind.” To this end, he called on the Global South to “send a strong message” on an “action plan” to achieve this.
Delving more into the issue, PM Modi stressed the need for “comprehensive, inclusive, fair, and sustainable” efforts. To this end, he called for investments to help fulfil the SDGs and find “solutions to address the debt risks faced by many countries.”
My remarks at the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting. @g20org https://t.co/x8ky51QwqB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2023
“The Prime Minister remarked that multilateral financial institutions should be reformed to expand the eligibility criteria to ensure that finance is accessible to those in need,” the Indian PMs Office reported.
Speaking of India’s success on these fronts, the PM stated that his country has made efforts to “improve people’s lives” in over a hundred “Aspirational Districts” that were previously in “pockets of under-development” and have “now emerged as the catalysts of growth in the country.” He urged G20 countries to study these successes as a “model of development.”
Importance of Data
PM Modi emphasised the importance of “high quality data” and “democratisation of technology” in “meaningful policy-making, efficient resource allocation, and effective public service delivery.”
He once again noted the successes of India on these fronts, saying that the country has used digitalisation to bring in “a revolutionary change” and “empower people, make data accessible, and ensure inclusivity.”
Climate Action, Women Empowerment
Modi finally highlighted India’s commitment to a “pro-planet lifestyle” and climate action. He further stressed that women’s empowerment and gender equality play a critical role in achieving the SDGs. To this end, Modi said India believed in “women-led development” and urged the rest of the grouping to adopt a similar plan.
In conclusion, he extended support to the ministers in their deliberations for Agenda 2030, which he hoped would “fulfil the Global South’s aspirations.”