India to pitch model for sustainable development at Commonwealth Summit

New Delhi: India will push for a sustainable development model at the June 25 Commonwealth Summit to support the countries that are facing a debt crisis because of the Covid-19 pandemic and foreign borrowing.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar will be leading the Indian delegation at the Summit, which had earlier been postponed twice due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He will also attend a pre-Summit Foreign Ministers' Meeting on June 23 in Kigali.

The Commonwealth provides an important platform to India to deepen its engagement with the member nations, in particular the Small States (SS) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). India is also one of the largest contributors to the Commonwealth and has assisted the organisation with technical help and capacity building.

It is in this context that India will pitch for a sustainable development model, particularly for the African states, which can help avoid debt traps, officials said. In 2018, India had announced the creation of a Commonwealth Window, dedicating $50 million for development projects and assistance to developing countries of the Commonwealth.

A number of forums, including the Commonwealth Youth Forum, Commonwealth Women Forum, Commonwealth Business Forum, Commonwealth People's Forum, and other events are also planned on the sidelines of the Summit by host Rwanda.

The theme of 26th CHOGM Summit is: "Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming". The Leaders of the Commonwealth Member States are scheduled to deliberate on issues of contemporary relevance, including global challenges like climate change, food security and health issues.