External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday called for greater cooperation among Global South countries to address rising geopolitical tensions, economic challenges, climate shocks and growing pressure on the multilateral system.
Addressing a meeting of Global South countries on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said: “Closer economic cooperation among the Global South is necessary to buffer us against the fallout of overlapping global crises.”
In a post on X after the meeting, Jaishankar said: “Assessed a global picture marked by rising conflicts and geopolitical tensions; mounting pressure on supply chains and trade; fragmenting investment flows; growing debt vulnerabilities amid inadequate development finance; intensifying climate shocks; and a multilateral system and international norms under increasing strain. “
Jaishankar called for efforts to prevent the manipulation of energy availability and prices, strengthen food security by addressing challenges related to grain and fertiliser supplies, and promote fair economic and trade practices.
He also highlighted the need to expand industrialisation and production capabilities, secure the maritime commons, and ensure the safety and security of seafarers and commercial shipping.
On artificial intelligence, Jaishankar said the transformation brought about by the technology needed to be managed in a way that prevented new divisions.
He also called for greater inclusion of Global South countries in decision-making on issues affecting them.
“We must forge closer economic, technological & environmental cooperation, use existing platforms to highlight our concerns, while striving for Reformed Multilateralism,” Jaishankar said.
On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, Jaishankar also met Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.
Jaishankar said in a separate post on X that their discussions focused on the situation in the Gulf, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Ukraine conflict.
“Good to catch up with DPM & FM Antonio Tajani of Italy. Our conversation focused on the Gulf situation, IMEC, and the Ukraine conflict,” he said.
Tajani said Italy and India were strengthening their strategic partnership through cooperation in areas including defence and security, artificial intelligence, space, critical technologies and energy.
“In New York I met my dear friend and Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar. Italy and India are bound by a special Strategic Partnership, which we are strengthening through ever broader collaboration, from defense and security to artificial intelligence, from space to critical technologies and energy,” Tajani said in a post on X.
Tajani described India as a key country for Italy’s Export Action Plan and said Rome wanted to work with New Delhi to achieve bilateral trade of 20 billion euros by 2029.
“We want to work together to achieve the goal of 20 billion euros in trade exchange by 2029, seizing all the opportunities offered by the EU-India Free Trade Agreement and the strategic development of the IMEC corridor,” he said.
Tajani also highlighted the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation for trade routes and connectivity.
“In this framework, we share the importance of ensuring freedom of navigation, essential for the security of trade routes, for connectivity, and for the growth of our economies,” he said.
-with ANI inputs
