Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that New Delhi believes in multilateralism and is aimed it boosting the voice of the Global South.
The remarks came as Modi was co-chairing the 3rd FIPIC with Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea James Marape. Fourteen Pacific Island Countries (PICs) – the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu – are participating in the summit.
On Monday, Modi also stressed that the UN Security Council (UNSC) should accentuate the voice of the Global South and for this, “reform of international institutions should be our shared priority.” Earlier, Modi had pitched for reforming the global body during his address in a session on the sidelines of the
G7 Summit in Hiroshima.
Raising the question as to why the UN has not been able to establish peace, Modi said that the UN and the Security Council will remain just a “talk shop” if they do not reflect the realities of the present world.
“The United Nations was established with the very purpose of establishing peace. Why does it often fail to prevent conflicts today? Why, even the definition of terrorism has not been accepted in the UN yet?” he asked.
“If introspection is done, then one thing is clear. The institutions created in the last century are not in line with the system of the 21st century. They do not reflect the realities of the present. That is why it is necessary that reforms should be given concrete shape in big institutions like the UN. It will also have to become the voice of the Global South. Otherwise, we will just keep talking about ending conflicts. The UN and the Security Council will become just a talk shop,” Modi emphasised.
For his part, Papua New Guinea PM James Marape hailed Modi as the “leader of the Global South”, during his address.
“We are victims of global powerplay... You (PM Modi) are the leader of Global South. We will rally behind your (India) leadership at global forums,” Marape further stated, adding that he wants to thank Modi “for assuring him that the Indian Prime Minister will advocate for them as the G20 president”.
Before addressing the forum, Modi and Marape held a bilateral gathering in Port Moresby and discussed cooperation in commerce, technology, and healthcare as well as climate change.
Later, Modi also announced a 12-step action plan to propel India’s partnership with Pacific Island Countries.
Modi touched down in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the second leg of his three-country visit.
The Indian Prime Minister was warmly received by his Papua New Guinea counterpart at Port Moresby airport and upon his arrival. Modi was accorded a Guard of Honour on his arrival and the Indian national anthem was played.
Modi is the first-ever Indian PM to visit the southwestern Pacific nation.