New Delhi witnessed a strong endorsement of India’s role in championing the Global South on Wednesday, as South Africa’s High Commissioner to India, Anil Sooklal, lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering efforts. In an exclusive interview, Sooklal highlighted India’s consistent advocacy for developing nations on international platforms, describing these initiatives as unprecedented.
Sooklal emphasized India’s longstanding commitment, noting, ‘Since independence and even before, India has been fully engaged and leading in the Global South.’ He pointed to India’s G20 presidency in 2023 as a landmark achievement, crediting PM Modi’s vision for securing permanent membership for the African Union in the G20. ‘The entire African continent, including South Africa, applauded India’s firm push to keep this on the agenda,’ he added.
The envoy praised the inclusion of the African Union as a true permanent member, fully representing the continent in G20 deliberations. India’s leadership extended further with the launch of the ‘Voice of the Global South Summit’ during its presidency, chaired twice by PM Modi. This platform spotlighted key challenges facing developing nations and fostered collaborative solutions.
‘India is not just a leading voice but a pioneering initiator in tackling Global South issues,’ Sooklal affirmed. He commended PM Modi’s global stature, whose presence significantly influenced outcomes at forums like the G20. Under his leadership, India’s GDP has more than doubled in the past decade, elevating it to the world’s fourth-largest economy. Millions have escaped poverty, and India has played a robust role in BRICS, G20, and Global South initiatives, shaping a multipolar world.
The Global South views PM Modi as a decisive and impactful global leader, Sooklal noted. In a related development, he expressed optimism for democratic elections in Bangladesh, stressing the need for an elected government. ‘Democracy is essential to our societies and governments,’ he said, welcoming the interim government’s decision to hold polls and hoping for peaceful, stable outcomes beneficial to the region and beyond.