Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the death of civilians in the Israel-Hamas conflict, saying India's emphasis has been on dialogue, diplomacy along with restraint.
"India condemned the terror attack in Israel; we have emphasised dialogue, diplomacy along with restraint," said the Prime Minister, while condemning the death of civilians in the conflict.
"We are seeing that new challenges are emerging from developments in West Asia," he said, adding that it was time for the countries of the Global South to talk in one voice for a greater global good.
Modi was speaking at the second virtual Voice of Global South Summit on Friday. The first edition of the summit was hosted by India in January to flag concerns and challenges facing developing countries.
The prime minister also called for cooperation under the framework of 'five Cs' -- consultation, communication, cooperation, creativity, capacity building. "I cannot forget that historic moment when African Union was inducted into G20 as a permanent member with India's efforts," he said.
Modi said that though the Global South always existed geographically, it was the first time that it was for the first time that it was getting a voice. "Geographically, the Global South has always existed, but it is getting a voice for the first time, and this is because of the joint efforts. We are more than 100 countries but our priorities are similar," he said.
Modi also recalled highlighting the topic of the Global South in the New Delhi G20 Declaration and how India managed to get consent from the global leaders. " In January this year, India organised the Voice of the Global South Summit for the first time. In more than two hundred G20 meetings held in different states of India, we gave prominence to the priorities of the Global South," he added.
"I cannot forget that historic moment when, because of India’s efforts, the African Union got permanent membership in the G20," PM Modi added.
The Prime Minister also stressed how artificial intelligence should not widen the gap between the Global North and the Global South. His statement comes ahead of the Artificial Global Partnership Summit being hosted by India next month. "India believes that new technology should not widen the gap between the Global North and the Global South. During the times of Artificial Intelligence, technology must be used responsibly. To further promote this, next month, India will organise the Artificial Global Partnership Summit," said Modi.
