Guyana, St. Lucia, Bhutan, Maldives and Mauritius thanked India at the United Nations for casting the spotlight on Global South during G20 New Delhi and across multilateral forums and helping with their post-pandemic economic recovery.
Guyanese foreign minister Hugh Todd said India now has a seat at the table and is taking nations of the Global South on board. “India is taking us on board, India is investing in humanity. When India is successful, they give you the tools to be successful,” Todd said during the India-UN for Global South, Delivering for Development.
The Global South speaks on India. Listen to them pic.twitter.com/Fft4zaq82Z
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 24, 2023
Bhutan’s foreign minister Tandi Dorji pointed to Vaccine Maitri, a humanitarian initiative undertaken by the Indian government to provide COVID-19 vaccines to countries around the world, and said it is one of the biggest examples of how India has partnered with nations of the Global South.
“The Vaccine Maitri initiative, which was one of the biggest humanitarian initiatives undertaken by India, has provided COVID vaccines to nearly 100 countries around the world. The enduring partnership between Bhutan and India serves as a remarkable example of strong bilateral relations in the Global South,” Dorji said.
EAM @DrSJaishankar took center stage at the 'South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions and Ideas' Ministerial session. Kudos to @orfonline, Reliance Foundation, and UN India for spotlighting the Global South's potential and promise. pic.twitter.com/V8OTzmS1DY— Ruchira Kamboj (@ruchirakamboj) September 24, 2023
Maldivian foreign minister Ahmed Khaleel, Mauritian foreign minister Maneesh Gobin and Saint Lucia foreign minister Alva Romanus Baptiste pointed out that India is helping several countries of the Global South with infrastructure and sustainable development projects.
India & the UN unveiled the 'India-UN Capacity Building Initiative' to empower the Global South, sharing India's rich developmental insights. Announced at “India-UN for the Global South-Delivering for Development” with @DrSJaishankar & H.E. Mr. Dennis Francis @UN_PGA presiding. pic.twitter.com/qkQr1m5qlh
— India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) September 24, 2023
“Saint Lucia has witnessed India’s progression as a champion of developing nations and its emergence over the last decade as a strong and powerful voice of the Global South. At the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, India collaborated on fast-track funding to support Saint Lucia’s human security and sustainable development,” Baptiste said.
The Maldivian minister said Maldives’ recovery post-pandemic can be attributed to support from India.
“We attribute a significant portion of our fast-paced recovery from the Covid pandemic to India. It would not have been possible without our close partner and friend,” Khaleel said.
“India has not forgotten the other countries. This is not a country saying bye-bye. India is bringing the Global South together at the decision-making table. This is illustrated by the participation of a country like Mauritius at the G20,” Mauritius’ Gobin said.