Initiatives

Five key initiatives emerged from the Voice of Global South Summit that has been envisioned by Honourable Prime Minister of India.

These initiatives are true reflection of India’s development philosophy anchored in knowledge sharing and capacity building.

Of the five, two initiatives are in the nature of global public goods viz. i) Global South Centre of Excellence  and ii) Global South Young Diplomats Forum.

The other three are newly launched efforts by India in the spirit of demand driven development cooperation with partner countries – i) Global South Science & Technology Initiative, ii) Aarogya Maitri, and iii) Global South Scholarships.

The contours of these initiatives are presented below:

1. Global South Centre of Excellence

The Global South Centre of Excellence would be a platform of Global South nations for sharing their development solutions and best practices that can be scaled and implemented in countries of the Global South. The physical centre would be established in New Delhi and shall have global outreach.

2. Global South Young Diplomats Forum

In an increasingly complex world, foreign policy of developing countries is at watershed at many levels. A major burden falls on diplomats who navigate dynamic yet challenging situations. Young diplomats from Global South earnestly need a platform for frank engagement, and exchange of views and experience as well as mentorship for deeper understanding of issues and future preparedness.

3. Global South Science & Technology initiative

India has emerged as a source of imagination, aspiration, confidence and support for the Global South with its strong foothold in technological and digital solutions ensuring access, equity and inclusion. India’s space missions, and capabilities and innovations in digital public infrastructure, fintech, renewable energy among others would form potential bridges of lasting and mutually rewarding partnerships through sharing of expertise in the Global South.

4. Aarogya Maitri

India is considered pharmacy of the world and emerged as a true friend of the Global South through ‘Vaccine Maitri’ at the peak of the pandemic. On numerous occasions India has rushed medical supplies and personnel at times of natural disasters and on humanitarian grounds. India shall maintain high standard of operational preparedness to deliver such support in the future as well.

5. Global South Scholarships

India has long standing programmes of offering scholarships for students from developing countries to pursue higher education in India. India is considered a global hub of higher education and research across disciplines attracting students from many countries of the Global South. India shall scale up financial resources to support increased number of scholarships in an effort to create human resource capabilities in the Global South.