Focus on self-reliance:Jaishankar asks Global South
The News Freedom
New Delhi, November 17
Minister of External Affairs, Dr S. Jaishankar, on Friday said that Global South need to not only democratise and diversify production but build resilient and reliable supply chains and promote local solutions. Only then can the Global South secure its future. “We need to work towards self-reliance to mitigate our vulnerabilities in relation to economic concentrations. The COVID-19 era is a stark reminder of the perils of dependence for basic necessities on far away geographies,” Jaishankar said while addressing the Foreign Ministers’ Session of the 2nd Voice of Global South Summit in New Delhi.
The Minister of External Affairs said that where any of us are successful in any domain, we must ensure the exchange of best practices and also of scaling up. The Global South is eminently capable of coming up with its own answers once we develop that awareness.
He said that India, for its part, reaffirms its commitment to the Global South through an extensive range of development projects in 78 countries. These projects are demand-driven, outcome-oriented, transparent and sustainable. “I assure you that this will only expand in its scale and scope in the times ahead. We will always welcome your views, suggestions and proposals in this context. As India embraces digital delivery, promotes green growth and ensures affordable health access, it will always have the Global South at the centre of its international partnerships,” Jaishankar further said.
He said that all of us are acutely aware of the growing stress on the international economy and global society. Longstanding structural inequities have been seriously aggravated by the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This has been made still worse by the fuel, food and fertilizer crises emanating from the Ukraine conflict and its responses. Resource challenges, financial constraints, disrupted trade and climate events have added to our burdens. As a result, growth prospects are as daunting as the SDG landscape is grim,” he said.
“It was therefore our foremost responsibility to refocus the G20 on the pressing needs of the Global South. Thanks to the ideas and inputs received from all of you, India’s G20 Presidency did advocate for finding solutions from within the Global South,” Jaishankar further said.