Global South confluence: India’s leadership and vision

India recently took center stage by hosting the second edition of the Voice of Global South Summit on November 12-13, underscoring its unwavering commitment to the Global South. Building upon the success of the inaugural event held in January 2023, this summit witnessed the active participation of 125 nations, providing a robust platform for meaningful dialogue on shared priorities.

India has championed the concerns of the Global South during its G20 Presidency, ensuring that their priorities are considered when addressing critical global challenges. The summit provided a platform for sharing key outcomes from various G20 meetings held during India's presidency with nations of the Global South. Additionally, participants engaged in discussions on the challenges posed by global developments. The summit also served as a forum to explore strategies for maintaining the momentum generated towards our shared vision of a more inclusive, representative, and progressive world order.

The summit was organized into ten distinct sessions, with the inaugural and concluding sessions hosted by Prime Minister Modi. These high-level sessions were graced by the presence of numerous Heads of State and Government. The Inaugural Leaders' Session centered on the theme "Together, for Everyone's Growth, with Everyone's Trust," while the Concluding Leaders' Session focused on the theme "Global South: Together for One Future."

Moreover, eight other minister-level sessions were held, covering a range of critical topics: Foreign Ministers discussed India's role in empowering the Global South, Education Ministers explored strategies for preparing future workforces, Finance Ministers addressed financing models for inclusive development, and Environment Ministers delved into sustainable solutions for climate resilience and climate finance. A Foreign Ministers' Session on "The Global South and One Development," explored strategies for fostering inclusive and sustainable development across the Global South. An Energy Ministers' Session on "Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development," addressed the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to sustainable energy sources in developing countries. A Health Ministers' Session on "Solutions from the Global South for One Health," showcased innovative solutions emerging from the Global South to address public health challenges. A Commerce / Trade Ministers' Session on "Global South & Resilient Supply Chains," focused on enhancing the resilience and sustainability of supply chains in developing countries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the leaders of the Global South, emphasizing the need for a collective voice and action. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of global challenges on developing countries and called for a human-centric approach to development, leaving no one behind. India's G20 Presidency, themed "One Earth, One Family, One Future," aims to amplify the voices of the Global South and foster equitable global governance. Prime Minister Modi urged for a global agenda centered on "Respond, Recognize, Respect, and Reform," advocating for inclusivity, differentiated responsibilities, respect for sovereignty, and institutional reform. He expressed optimism for the future, calling for simple, scalable, and sustainable solutions to transform societies and economies. The Voice of Global South Summit, he declared, is a collective effort to generate noble ideas for a shared future.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched DAKSHIN, a global center of excellence dedicated to the Global South, during the Second Voice of Global South Summit. This initiative reflects India's commitment to the Global South and its pledge to launch a satellite for weather and climate monitoring. PM Modi also emphasized India's responsible use of technology, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), and announced the upcoming AI Global Partnership Summit. Additionally, he highlighted India's efforts to address the concerns of the Global South and its success in securing permanent G20 membership for the African Union (AU).

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar advocated for self-reliance among countries of the Global South by diversifying production, building reliable supply chains, and promoting local solutions to overcome dependence on distant countries. He highlighted India's commitment to the Global South through its development projects in 78 countries and assured that India will prioritize the Global South in its international partnerships. Dr. Jaishankar also emphasized the need to address the growing stress on the global economy and highlighted key outcomes of India's G20 presidency, including efforts to accelerate progress on SDGs, a green development pact, voluntary principles on green hydrogen, and the Deccan principles on food security and nutrition. He also mentioned the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, giving voice to 1.4 billion people of Africa.

The Summit held in New Delhi also brought together Education Ministers from 14 countries to discuss the theme of 'Making human resources future-ready.' Ministers shared insights on India's National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) as a model for holistic transformation, emphasizing the importance of shared aspirations and common strategies in education and skill development. They agreed on the need for accessible, equitable, and inclusive education, investing in human capital development, addressing the global skill divide, overcoming the digital divide, promoting quality teaching and learning, and fostering academic collaborations. The Ministers expressed their commitment to strengthen South-South cooperation for global well-being and a brighter future.

The second Voice of Global South summit concluded with a clear message: the Global South seeks autonomy and is prepared to shoulder greater responsibilities in global affairs. Prime Minister Modi, at the summit's concluding session, announced the launch of an annual international conference in India starting next year, focusing on the Global South's development priorities. The conference aims to identify practical solutions to the region's development challenges. Modi emphasized the participation of leaders from around 130 countries, signifying the Global South's readiness for greater responsibility and autonomy. India, under its G20 presidency, has championed the Global South's concerns, challenges, and aspirations, prioritizing inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access. Modi expressed pride in placing the Global South's voice on the G20 agenda.