Highlighting India's prominent role among nations of the Global South, S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, underscored the confidence of 125 countries in India. He noted China's absence from two meetings called by India last year to address concerns of the platform.
Speaking at the Nikkei Forum on India-Japan partnership in Tokyo, Jaishankar emphasized the solidarity among Global South countries on various issues.
“On a lot of issues, these countries feel for each other. The feeling has been intensified by COVID because many countries of the Global South felt that they were the last in the line to get the vaccine. They even felt at the time when India became G20 President that their concerns were not even on the agenda of the G20.
“So we did last year two meetings of the voice of the Global South because we wanted to listen to these 125 countries and then put before the G20 a set of issues which were the collective views of these 125 countries. Within Asia and Africa, Global South is very popular in those continents. They know exactly what is happening, who’s speaking up for them, and how their issues are getting on the table.
“They don’t think it is a coincidence that it was under the Indian presidency that the African Union, which had long been promised a seat in the G20, got a seat. So the Global South believes us,” he said.
"The two summits which we convened last year to listen to their concerns, I don't believe China was present," Mr Jaishankar said, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping not attending the G20 summit and deputing Premier Li Qiang instead.
Addressing concerns regarding the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar subtly critiqued global powers for selectively championing principles, pointing out the lack of consistent support for India's territorial integrity over the years.
"...even today, parts of India are occupied by another country. But we did not see the world respond saying, oh, there is a great principle involved. And therefore, let us all go with India. So yes, today we are being told that there are principles involved. I wish I had seen that principle in play for the last 80 years. I have seen those principles cherry-pick..." S. Jaishankar remarked.
“I would say injustice was done to us. I’m not advocating it should be done to everybody else. We have been very clear. My Prime Minister has stood next to President Putin and said we want to see the end to this conflict,” he said.
He also highlighted India's efforts in securing a seat for the African Union in the G20 during its presidency, further cementing trust within the Global South.
India will have 15 years of stable government, even longer: Jaishankar
Expressing unwavering optimism regarding India's political landscape, Jaishankar asserted that sustained political stability over the next 15 years, or even beyond, is imperative for effective governance.
Jaishankar's confident stance comes amid India's imminent general elections, where nearly 960 million eligible voters are gearing up to exercise their democratic rights in the forthcoming months.
Assuring the audience, Jaishankar responded unequivocally to a query, stating, "Hundred per cent we will have 15 years of stable government; we may have even longer."
The minister underscored the significance of having a reform-oriented, forward-thinking leadership backed by a robust political mandate, emphasizing that democratic stability is contingent upon securing a parliamentary majority, which in turn ensures enduring stability.
Reflecting on India's recent governance trajectory, Jaishankar commended the government's ability to make prudent decisions, acknowledging the challenges encountered and the necessity of tough yet essential choices.
"You can have a majority but you do not have a vision, or you have a vision, but you do not have the political support. So you need both. Now what has happened in our cases, certainly for the last 10 years, we have had it and we hope to continue that," he said
Highlighting the nexus between political stability, economic prosperity, and investor confidence, Jaishankar emphasized that the business community values political continuity as it ensures policy consistency, a crucial factor for long-term investments.
"Business world today values political stability. For them, political stability means policy stability. Anybody who is coming, you know, somebody who is taking a big bet on India wants to know what will India be in the next 10 years."
"Fortunately, that has been good for us for the last decade, and I am very confident for the next one," the minister added.
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