Varanasi: On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the international development ministers to take concrete decisions for the progress of humanity as a whole. He said: “Development is a core issue for the Global South” and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that nobody is left behind.

The Prime Minister said that India can show the way to the rest of the world through its own efforts at battling under-development. Modi said: “We have made efforts to improve people’s lives in more than a hundred Aspirational Districts which were pockets of under-development… which have now emerged as the catalysts of growth in the country”.  He urged the G20 Development Ministers to study this model of development which may be relevant for accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals, or Agenda 2030.

My remarks at the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting. @g20org https://t.co/x8ky51QwqB

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2023

Highlighting recent global challenges, the Prime Minister said that development is a core issue for the Global South. Countries were severely disrupted by the covid and followed by the shortages of food, fuel, fertiliser which have delivered another blow to global humanity.

Modi said that the growing data divide is yet another challenge that has to be surmounted. He said that high-quality data is critical for meaningful policy-making, efficient resource allocation, and for effective public service delivery. Citing India’s example, he said digitalisation has brought about a revolutionary change where technology is being used as a tool to empower people, make data accessible, and ensure inclusivity.
He hoped that the G20 discussions in Varanasi will lead to action in data for discourse, data for development and data for delivery.

Modi also made a strong plea for bringing reforms to multilateral financial institutions so that more countries can be provided finance when they need it.

The Prime Minister also stressed on the role of women in leading a nation to progress. He said that India is not only working on women empowerment but believes in women-led development. Highlighting the role of women as agents of growth and change, Modi urged the G20 delegates to adopt a game-changing action plan for women-led development.

Modi said that the world has to adapt to a pro-planet lifestyle to achieve sustainable development. He highlighted Mission LiFE which he had launched with the UN Secretary General to promote environment-friendly actions and living in harmony with nature to cool down the planet.

The Prime Minister said that the ministerial meeting at Varanasi has to send a strong message to the world that we have an action plan to achieve the SDGs and bring development to the people in the developing nations.

Talking about Varanasi, India’s timeless city, where the G20 Development Ministers’ meeting took off on Sunday with over 200 delegates from international organisations and countries, Modi said the oldest living city of the mother of democracies is a fitting location for this meeting.

The Prime Minister said: “Varanasi has been the centre of knowledge, the centre of discussion, the centre of debate and centre of spirituality for centuries”. He added that the city is the essence of India’s diverse heritage and is the convergence point for people from all parts of the country.

Speaking about the spiritual quotient of Kashi, Modi said: “I encourage you to go out, explore and experience the spirit of Kashi. Experiencing the Ganga Aarti and visiting Sarnath will help you achieve your desired results”.
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