External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Thursday hailed India's growing influence in the Global South, stating that the region now saw India as a "credible development partner" given New Delhi was more than willing to assist them in their developmental goals.
Jaishankar's remarks came during a press conference organized to highlight the accomplishments of the Modi-led government's foreign policy in New Delhi.
Jaishankar's remarks came during a press conference organized to highlight the accomplishments of the Modi-led government's foreign policy in New Delhi.
The EAM added that under PM Modi, the Indian foreign policy has found a "strategic clarity" while New Delhi has emerged as a key "economic collaborator" on the world stage.
"The world, especially the Global South, perceives India as a development partner - as a credible, effective development partner with delivery on the ground," he told reporters during the media briefing in the presence of Ministers of State Meenakshi Lekhi, V. Muraleedharan, and Rajkumar Ranjan Singh and Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra. "...Today, the second image of India is that of an economic collaborator."
The diplomat-turned-politician then pointed to New Delhi's outreach to countries like Namibia, Mauritius, Mozambique, Guyana, and Kenya in recent months.
He quoted examples of India aiding these nations in their progression - for instance, India gave rails to Mozambique, helped Kenya in setting up a textile factory, presented a ferry to Guyana, and played a key role in the construction of metro rail in Mauritius.
In the end, Jaishankar said that India has developed a "strong delivery mechanism" for completing projects overseas.