LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1321
ANSWERED ON- 09/02/2024
INDIA ADVOCACY FOR GLOBAL SOUTH
1321. SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI
SHRI KHAGEN MURMU
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-
(a) the steps taken by India to champion the cause of the Global South; and
(b) the perception and impact on developing and developed countries of India’s advocacy of issues relevant for Global South?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(DR. RAJKUMAR RANJAN SINGH)
(a & b) India has always been committed towards addressing the needs and aspirations of the fellow- developing countries and has been constructively championing the cause of holistic human-centric development of countries of the Global South. With this in view, the Government of India has undertaken several steps to promote self-reliance among countries of the Global South which include:
- Enhancing connectivity and economic inter-linkages by undertaking projects ranging from large scale infrastructure development to community related projects in various sectors, including health, housing, environment and education.
- Extending financial, budgetary and humanitarian assistance to partner countries to aid them in mitigating economic challenges and overcome crises.
- Contributing towards capacity building and skill development in the Global South by offering scholarships and training programs to students and professionals.
Further, in line with Prime Minister’s vision that India’s G20 Presidency be shaped in consultation with fellow partners in the Global South, India hosted a two-day Voice of Global South Summit on 12-13 January 2023, in virtual format. India hosted the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit on 17 November 2023, again in virtual format. Throughout its G20 Presidency, India worked to ensure that the concerns and priorities of the Global South received due cognizance in various verticals of the G20, and were duly factored in finding solutions to the most pressing contemporary global challenges.
The induction of the African Union into the G20 as a permanent member during India’s G20 Presidency at the New Delhi G20 Summit on 09-10 September 2023 and the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration adopted unanimously by the G20 member countries are reflections of the perception and impact on developing and developed countries of India’s advocacy of issues relevant for Global South.
*****