'Even After G20': Jaishankar Says India An Inspiration On How To Address Developmental Challenges

EAM S Jaishankar highlighted how India guided the G20 under its presidency towards the welfare of the Global South adding that the inclusion of African Union in the group is a testament to it.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that 100 per cent consensus on G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration left many stakeholders surprised as "they didn't completely expect it", adding that another set of people appreciated the G20 focused on Global South that India achieved after inclusion of African Union in the group. At the India-UN Global Summit, emphasising the importance of India's G20 Presidency, Jaishankar said that the country will remain a partner, a contributor, a collaborator in its own way, and "an inspiration to others on how to address developmental challenges". 

"On the G20 Summit, a lot of folks were still surprised that we actually got everybody together. I don't think they completely expected that. So there'll be one set of people who are still wondering how that happened," the minister said.

"The other part, which I think includes some people with me here now has appreciated that we got the G20 to focus on the Global South and that the job for which the G20 was created, which was global growth and development, we got them to refocus on it and with particular attention to the Global South. We did that partly by organizing a Global South summit in advance," he added.

Jaishankar is in New York, US to attend the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session where he will address the world leaders on Sept 26. 

Meanwhile, speaking at the India-UN Global Summit, the EAM said, "While we are the G20 president till the end of this year, both before the G20 presidency and certainly after it, we will remain very much a partner, a contributor, a collaborator in our own way, perhaps an inspiration to others on how to address developmental challenges. I believe that one of the really important outcomes of the G20 was the membership of the African Union."

He mentioned that India has proved that it "walks the talk" on the issue of South-South cooperation. Jaishankar reiterated that the inclusion of the African Union into the G20 is a live example of the same.

"...We know that there may be aspects of it which you may find useful from, as Ambassador Kamboj mentioned, that we are today active in almost 80 countries around the world. And what I can say is that when it has come to South-South cooperation, we have endeavoured to walk the talk. My remarks on this subject would, of course, not be complete without my underlining what I believe was one of the really important outcomes of the G20, which was the membership of the African Union..." Jaishankar told the audience at India-UN Global Summit.

Jaishankar Holds Talks With His Global Counterparts

On the sidelines of the UNGA session, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a series of bilateral meetings with his global counterparts on Saturday.

"Great to see my friend FM of Egypt Sameh Shoukry in New York on #UNGA78 sidelines. Appreciate his warm words for the Indian Presidency of G20. Took stock of the great progress in our bilateral cooperation," Jaishankar said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Calling 2023 a "landmark" year in India-Egypt ties, Jaishankar said, "Committed to take them forward." He also met Minister of Foreign Affairs Carlos Pereira of Guinea Bissau.

"Good to meet FM Carlos Pereira of Guinea Bissau on #UNGA78 sidelines. Discussed expanding our development partnership and enhancing our trade and investment," Jaishankar said.

He also met Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus Constantinos Kombos. "Conveyed best wishes to President @Christodulides. Talked about follow-up steps to my visit last December. India’s interest in the Mediterranean is steadily growing. Cyprus will always be a valued partner," Jaishankar wrote in a post on X.