During the 19th G20 Leaders’ Summit, world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, and China’s President Xi Jinping, gathered for a symbolic “family photo” following the launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The photo was described by India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, as “a photo for posterity” and highlighted the theme of the summit, building a just world and a sustainable planet.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi praised Brazil’s initiative to establish the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, emphasizing the disproportionate impact global crises, such as food, fuel, and fertilizer shortages, have on countries in the Global South. He called for prioritizing these nations’ concerns in international discussions.
“We support Brazil’s initiative for a ‘Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty.’ This is an important step toward implementing the Deccan High-Level Principles for Food Security, which were adopted at the New Delhi Summit,” PM Modi said in his remarks.
Addressing the G20 session on ‘Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty,’ PM Modi shared India’s achievements in poverty alleviation, noting that the country had lifted 250 million people out of poverty over the past decade. He also reiterated India’s commitment to supporting Brazil’s initiative and the broader fight against hunger and poverty.
Highlighting India’s own efforts to combat food insecurity, the Prime Minister pointed to the country’s “Back to Basics and March to Future” approach. He also underscored the significance of women-led development, noting that India provides free food grains to over 800 million people and that more than 550 million people benefit from the world’s largest health insurance scheme.
“Over the last 10 years, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Over 800 million people are provided with free food grains. More than 550 million people benefit from the world’s largest health insurance scheme. Now, 60 million senior citizens, over the age of 70, will also be eligible for free health insurance,” Modi added.
The Prime Minister also reiterated that the Global South’s development requires global decisions that reflect their unique challenges, particularly the ongoing crises in food, fuel, and fertilizer caused by international conflicts.
“Countries of the Global South are most adversely impacted by these crises. Our discussions can only succeed if we consider the challenges and priorities of the Global South,” PM Modi emphasized. He also noted that, during the New Delhi Summit, the G20 granted permanent membership to the African Union, further amplifying the voice of the Global South in global governance.
(With inputs from ANI)