External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday expressed India’s strong support for the priorities set by the South African Presidency, emphasizing their alignment with India’s own advocacy during its G20 leadership. Speaking at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, Jaishankar underscored the need for the G20 to prioritize cooperation over competition in addressing global challenges.
“We are supportive of the priorities of the South African Presidency. They align with what India has advocated both nationally and during its own G20 Presidency,” Jaishankar said. He stressed that as the G20 enters its second cycle, it must accurately reflect pressing global challenges, including food, energy, and health security, as well as promoting women-led development.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to disaster response, Jaishankar highlighted the success of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, which India initiated in 2019 and now has 42 nations and seven organizations as members. “We support strong frameworks for preparedness, emergency response, recovery, and reconstruction. During our G20 Presidency, we established a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group focused on financing. Our commitment in this domain remains strong,” he added.
On debt sustainability, he emphasized the need for comprehensive frameworks that balance development needs with fiscal responsibility, noting that the MDB reform roadmap initiated during India’s G20 Presidency remains relevant. He also advocated for affordable and equitable financing for energy transitions, pointing to India’s initiatives like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance as key examples of global cooperation on climate action.
Jaishankar further called for resilient and transparent supply chains, enhanced cooperation in geological exploration, and sustainable mining practices, particularly for critical minerals. “We recognize that this has special potential for growth in Africa,” he said.
Praising South Africa’s efforts in tackling inclusive economic growth, food security, and AI for sustainable development, he remarked that these areas are integral to India’s human-centric policies. “South Africa’s endeavor to address these challenges through task forces is commendable. In India, these domains remain central to our development approach,” he said.
Jaishankar concluded by affirming confidence in South Africa’s ability to lead the G20 effectively and uphold the focus on developmental issues. “It has been fortuitous that four developing countries have held back-to-back G20 Presidencies, ensuring that development remains at the forefront of the global agenda. As South Africa’s Presidency advances, I am confident we will collectively work towards providing leadership and solutions to the key issues of our times,” he added.
(Inputs from ANI)
