PM Dahal to Address Voice of Global South Summit This Evening

The 2nd edition of the Voice of Global South Summit kicked off virtually today, bringing together leaders from 125 countries to address shared challenges and foster cooperation among nations in the Global South. The summit was inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized the urgent need for unity and collaboration in light of escalating challenges in West Asia, particularly the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

In his address, Prime Minister Modi condemned the recent terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel, particularly the October 7 incident, and underscored India’s unwavering stance against violence and terrorism. He stressed the importance of exercising restraint and prioritizing dialogue as fundamental elements of conflict resolution. PM Modi also expressed strong condemnation for the loss of civilian lives in the conflict.

“After talking to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, we have also sent humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine. This is the time when the countries of the Global South should unite for the greater global good,” Prime Minister Modi stated.

The Global South comprises countries primarily located in the Southern Hemisphere in Asia, Africa, and South America, facing common challenges such as poverty, inequality, and limited access to resources. India has taken the initiative to bring together representatives from these nations to share their views and priorities.

This Evening, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is set to address the Leaders’ Session of the summit, hosted by PM Modi. The theme for the session is “Global South: Together for One Future,” highlighting the collective efforts required for a sustainable and inclusive future.

In a related development, India urged Global South countries to work towards self-reliance to mitigate vulnerabilities stemming from economic concentrations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, addressing the summit, emphasized the lessons learned from the COVID-19 era, stating that dependence on distant geographies for basic necessities poses significant risks.

Jaishankar highlighted the achievements of India’s G20 presidency and the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, which aimed to address the real and serious concerns of the Global South. He called for a continued emphasis on the need to include everyone’s views in discussions at multilateral and plurilateral forums.

“The Voice of Global South Summit can be greatly impactful by amplifying our individual voices and projecting our shared interests for the emerging world order,” Jaishankar argued.

He also pointed out the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member during India’s G20 presidency, a move seen as giving voice to 1.4 billion people of Africa.

Earlier, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister of Nepal, Bishnu Paudel, participated in the summit organized by India, along with finance ministers from 14 other countries. Nepal also took part in the finance track meeting of the G-20 conference held in India this year, highlighting the importance of international collaboration on economic issues.