External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has called for stronger cooperation among countries of the Global South to deal with growing geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges.
Speaking at a high-level meeting of like-minded Global South countries and their partners on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Jaishankar said developing nations are facing increasing pressure from conflicts, trade disruptions, climate shocks and weaknesses in the international system.
Jaishankar said the global situation is being affected by rising geopolitical tensions, pressure on supply chains and trade, fragmented investment flows, growing debt vulnerabilities and inadequate development finance. He said these challenges require countries to work together rather than deal with them separately.
He highlighted the need for cooperation in areas such as supply chains, finance and connectivity. According to Jaishankar, countries should work to reduce bottlenecks that can affect the movement of goods, investment and essential resources.
Energy and food security were also among the issues he raised. Jaishankar called for efforts to prevent the manipulation of energy supplies and prices. He also stressed the importance of reliable supplies of grains and fertilisers and encouraged countries to support fair economic and trade practices.
The minister also spoke about the need to strengthen industrialisation and production capabilities in developing countries. He said greater cooperation could help countries build stronger economies, improve their ability to respond to disruptions and create more resilient supply chains.
Climate change is another major concern for the Global South. Jaishankar pointed to increasing climate shocks and said developing countries need stronger cooperation to manage their effects. He also highlighted maritime security and the need to protect commercial shipping and the wider maritime commons.
Artificial intelligence was another area of concern. Jaishankar said the rapid development of AI should not create new divisions between countries. He called for greater cooperation so that developing nations can participate in discussions about emerging technologies and their impact.
Jaishankar also stressed the need for reforms in international decision-making structures. He argued that countries of the Global South should have a stronger voice in institutions and discussions that affect their economies, security and development.
He called for closer economic, technological and environmental cooperation while urging countries to use existing international platforms to raise shared concerns. He also backed efforts towards what India describes as “reformed multilateralism” to make global institutions more representative and responsive.
The meeting reflects India’s continued effort to promote cooperation among developing countries on issues ranging from economic development and climate change to technology, food security and global governance. Jaishankar’s message was that collective action can help Global South countries respond more effectively to challenges that increasingly cross national borders.