Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his address at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized India’s significant strides in fighting poverty and hunger, revealing that the country has successfully lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Speaking at the session on “Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty,” PM Modi outlined India’s commitment to addressing these critical issues and underscored the nation’s belief in sustainable development through both traditional and innovative approaches.
India’s vision, according to the Prime Minister, is guided by two core principles: “Back to Basics” and “March to Future.” Modi highlighted several initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture, such as encouraging organic farming and the cultivation of climate-resilient crops. He also stressed the importance of popularizing millets, or “Shree Anna,” a key component of India’s nutritional security strategy.
“In the fight against hunger and poverty, India is not only focusing on growth but also ensuring that this growth is inclusive,” PM Modi shared on the social media platform X, summarizing his remarks. He also cited India’s achievement in providing free rations to over 800 million people as a cornerstone of the nation’s efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity.
Further, PM Modi addressed the government’s initiatives to ensure accessible and affordable healthcare for the poor and elderly, financial empowerment for women, and overall food and nutritional security. “India is working to ensure that no one is left behind, and that the benefits of growth reach all sections of society,” he wrote on X.
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi met with Gita Gopinath, First Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), who praised India’s successful efforts in reducing hunger and poverty. Gopinath noted that the world could learn from India’s “creative initiatives” in these areas.
During his address, PM Modi also expressed support for Brazil’s initiative to establish a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty. He highlighted the disproportionate impact of global food, fuel, and fertilizer crises on the Global South, stressing that solutions to these challenges must prioritize the needs of developing countries.
“India fully supports Brazil’s call for a Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty,” PM Modi said. “The concerns of the Global South must be at the heart of our discussions, especially in the context of the ongoing global conflicts which exacerbate food and energy crises.”
The Prime Minister also reiterated India’s commitment to reforming global institutions to better reflect the needs of developing countries, noting the G20’s decision to grant permanent membership to the African Union at the New Delhi Summit. He stressed that the Global South’s concerns should remain central in discussions on sustainable development and governance reforms.