This is the time when the Global South should speak in one voice for the global good, PM Modi says
Addressing the second Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) in virtual mode on Friday (November 17, 2023), Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated India’s condemnation of the Hamas attacks of October 7 and called for restraint, dialogue and diplomacy in resolving the Israel-Hamas conflict.
 
“This is the time when the Global South should speak in one voice for the global good,” he remarked.

Expressing concern over civilians suffering in the conflict, PM Modi also recalled his conversation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and India’s humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.
 
PM Modi inaugurated a global centre for excellence for the Global South countries called DAKSHIN and said that the Global South has, for the first time, a voice on the global stage. He also called for 5 ‘Cs’ for the Global South: consultation, cooperation, communication, creativity and capacity building.

G20 Achievements and the Global South

During his opening remarks, Prime Minister Modi detailed several accomplishments of the G20 that bear significance for the Global South. Notably, these include the African Union's full membership in the G20, reforms in multilateral development banks, a focus on sustainable finance, and the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance. These achievements, according to the Prime Minister, are crucial for the progress and empowerment of the Global South.

Prime Minister Modi's address at the summit also highlighted India's commitment to various initiatives for the Global South. He inaugurated 'Dakshin', a center of excellence focusing on development and knowledge sharing, and mentioned India's rapid progress on launching a weather and climate monitoring satellite for the Global South.

Technology and Sustainable Development

In his address, Prime Minister Modi stressed the responsible use of technology in the era of artificial intelligence (AI). He announced the upcoming AI Global Partnership Summit in India, aiming to bridge the technological divide between the North and South.

The digital public infrastructure (DPI) framework adopted by the G20, Modi added, would enhance the delivery of essential services and increase inclusivity. India's initiative to create a DPI repository to share its capabilities validates its commitment to the Global South.
“New technology should not become a means of increasing the gap between the North and the South,” Prime Minister Modi noted.

The inaugural session of the virtual summit saw participation from several world leaders, including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth. This diverse attendance highlights the summit's significance as a platform for dialogue and cooperation among developing countries.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had earlier highlighted India's efforts in ensuring that the concerns and priorities of nations in the Global South are acknowledged and integrated into solutions for global challenges. The 2nd Voice of Global South Summit is a continuation of this commitment, aiming to share key G20 outcomes and discuss ways to maintain momentum towards a more inclusive world order, it said.