New Delhi: India hosted the third Voice of Global South Summit on Saturday, which saw participation from 123 countries in a virtual format. Notably, China and Pakistan were not among the invitees. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed the details during a media briefing following the summit, which focused on collaborative solutions to challenges faced by developing countries.
The summit featured 21 countries represented at the head of state or government level, with 34 foreign ministers also in attendance. Additionally, 118 other ministers participated across 10 ministerial sessions.
India has been increasingly positioning itself as a prominent advocate for the Global South, highlighting the concerns and aspirations of developing nations, especially in Africa. As the G20 president last year, India emphasized inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and equitable global health access, aiming to benefit the Global South.
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Attendees included leaders from Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Chile, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guyana, Laos, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Tajikistan, Timor Leste, Uruguay, and Vietnam.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the Leaders’ session of the summit.
Key discussions during the summit included climate change, debt burdens, and the impact of new technologies. There was broad consensus on the need to reform global governance structures. The situation in Gaza was also addressed, alongside concerns about sovereignty, strategic autonomy, and external interference. Foreign ministerial sessions focused on debt distress, slow credit growth, rules-based order, and mutual respect and partnership among equals.
