Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a global centre of excellence dedicated to nations of the Global South at the inaugural session of the Second Voice of Global South Summit on Friday.
Known as DAKSHIN, the initiative follows PM Modi’s proposal during the inaugural Voice of Global South Summit in January and reinforces India’s commitment to the Global South. Addressing the virtual session, PM Modi also highlighted India’s pledge to launch a satellite for weather and climate monitoring, a commitment put forth during the G20 Summit.
Emphasizing the collaborative efforts that have given rise to the newfound voice of the Global South, PM Modi underscored India’s responsible use of technology, especially in the domain of artificial intelligence. He announced that India will organise AI Global Partnership Summit next month.
The Prime Minister reiterated India’s focus on the concerns of the Global South in more than 200 G20 meetings held across the country. He stressed India’s inclusive and human-centric approach and recalled efforts leading to the inclusion of Global South topics in the New Delhi Leaders Declaration. Additionally, PM Modi highlighted India’s success in securing permanent membership for the African Union in the G20.
Addressing global challenges, PM Modi condemned the recent terrorist attack on Israel. He called for “sabka saath and sabka vikas” (collective effort, inclusive growth) as a guiding principle for global prosperity. The Prime Minister reaffirmed India’s support for Palestine through humanitarian aid and urged unity among Global South countries for the greater global good.
The virtual Second Voice of Global South Summit aims to disseminate key outcomes from various G20 meetings during India’s presidency. It focuses on addressing global challenges and fostering discussions to sustain momentum for a more inclusive world order. The summit consists of 10 sessions, including inaugural and concluding leaders’ sessions hosted by PM Modi, with themes centered around growth, trust, and a united future for the Global South.