Speaking at the High Level Meeting of Like-Minded Global South Countries in New York, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized the need for these nations to reduce their dependence on single suppliers and markets. He advocated for strengthening supply chains and promoting South-South economic ties to achieve this.
Jaishankar highlighted the challenges confronting the Global South, including the COVID-19 pandemic, conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, extreme climate events, volatile trade, shifting investment flows, and the slowdown in progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. He expressed concern that the rights and expectations of developing countries within the international system are being challenged. He also noted that multilateralism, as a concept, is under attack, with international organizations facing resource and credibility constraints.
To address these challenges, Jaishankar called for fair and transparent economic practices that democratize production and enhance economic security. He also emphasized the need for more balanced trade and technology collaboration. He urged for the creation of resilient, reliable, and shorter supply chains to reduce dependence on any single supplier or market.
Furthermore, Jaishankar stressed the importance of conflict resolution to safeguard food, fertilizer, and energy security. He advocated for the collaborative use of technology for development, including digital public infrastructure, and a level playing field that reflects the developmental priorities of the Global South.
Jaishankar proposed that Global South nations should strengthen consultations through existing forums, share specific experiences and achievements in various fields, and advance climate action initiatives that serve the Global South. He highlighted India's proposals to strengthen South-South cooperation, urging nations to utilize existing forums to enhance consultations, share experiences and achievements, and collaborate on areas such as vaccine production, digital capabilities, education, agriculture, and SME culture. He also called for initiatives in climate action and climate justice that prioritize the Global South over the Global North, as well as leveraging emerging technologies such as AI.
Jaishankar's call for greater cooperation among Global South nations comes as some countries face the impact of tariffs and other trade-related challenges. He emphasized that the building blocks of the contemporary order are starting to come apart and that the cost of delaying much-needed reforms is starkly visible. He urged the Global South to present a united front in demanding a level playing field in the international system.
