Lok Sabha Question No. 2058 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: South-South Cooperation
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. K Sudhakar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2058 ANSWERED ON- 06/12/2024 SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

## 2058. DR. K SUDHAKAR

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) whether India is taking steps to foster South-South Cooperation (SSC) and to make the country be the voice of Global South in the comity of nations and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government plans to open new consulates across the world and if so, the details of the proposed consulates and missions;

(c)   whether   the   Government   has   data   with   regards   to   progress   of transport corridors such as India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor, International North-South Economic Corridor and others and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the efforts taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to resolve rising conflicts amongst countries of the world; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to promote the cultural heritage of India across the globe?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) India has always been committed towards addressing the needs and aspirations of fellow-developing countries and has been constructively championing   the   cause   of   holistic   human-centric   development   of countries in the Global South in various international forums. With this in view, the Government of India has also undertaken several development partnership initiatives to promote self-reliance among countries of the Global South, including in undertaking infrastructure projects to enhance connectivity   and   economic   inter-linkages,   as   well   as   in   extending financial,  budgetary and humanitarian assistance and in contributing towards capacity building and skill development by offering scholarships and training programs to students and professionals.

Further, in line with Prime Minister's vision that India's G20 Presidency be shaped in consultation with fellow partners in the Global South, India hosted three editions of the Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) in January 2023, November 2023, and August 2024. Each edition of this Summit witnessed the participation of over 100 countries at Heads of State/Government, Ministerial and Senior Officials Levels. The Voice of Global South Summits provided a useful platform for exchange of views

with the leadership of Global South countries on our shared development priorities   and   concerns,   including   for   reforms   of   the   multilateral institutions in various domains.

The   inclusion   of   African   Union   into   the   G20   as   a   permanent member during   India's   G20   Presidency   at   the   New   Delhi   G20 Summit on 09-10 September 2023 and the G20 New Delhi Leaders' Declaration adopted unanimously by the G20 member countries are reflections   of   the   perception   and   impact   on   developing   and developed  countries   of   India's   advocacy   of   issues   relevant   for Global South.

(b)   Currently,   efforts   are   underway   to   operationalize   Consulates   in Fukuoka (Japan),   Kazan   (Russia)   and   Yekaterinburg   (Russia).   Future plans include opening of 5 new diplomatic Missions in Europe, and Latin America and Caribbean regions.

(c)   On   the   sidelines   of   the   G20   Leaders'   Summit,   leaders   of   India, European Union,  France,   Germany,   Italy,   Saudi   Arabia,   UAE   and   US announced an MoU committing to work together to develop a new IndiaMiddle   East-Europe   Economic   Corridor   (IMEC).   It   will   comprise   two separate corridors, the eastern corridor connecting India to the Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf  to Europe. It will include digital, energy and railway connectivity and provide a reliable and costeffective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement existing

maritime and road transport routes, enabling goods and services to be traded between these regions.

The corridor also aims to facilitate the development and export of clean   energy;   lay   undersea   cables   and   link   energy   grids   and telecommunication lines to expand reliable access to electricity; enable innovation of advanced clean energy technology; and digital connectivity. It intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional   supply   chains,   increase   trade   accessibility,   enhance economic unity, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas emissionresulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

An Intergovernmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) concerning cooperation for operation of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor was signed on 13 February 2024. The main elements of the Framework include   development   and   management   of   a   logistics   platform, including   a   digital   ecosystem,   and   provision   of   supply   chain services to handle all types of general cargo, bulk, containers and liquid bulk in order to enable IMEC. This is the first agreement under   the   IMEC   initiative.   The   IMEC   corridor,   which   aims   at economic integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East, involves multiple stakeholders and is at an incipient stage.

The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-kmlong multimodal transport route designed to connect the Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, and Caspian Sea via Iran, extending to Russia.  Movement of   cargo   through   INSTC   faces   certain   infrastructural   and   other challenges at present and work is continuing to develop the missing infrastructure links.

(d)   As   a   responsible   player   on   the   global   stage,   India   has   been concerned about the rising conflicts in the world which are accompanied by humanitarian crises, as well as disproportionate impact on developing countries due to shortage of food, fuel and other essential commodities. In   all   global   conflicts,   India   has   always   advocated   for   cessation   of violence   and   hostilities,   humanitarian   assistance   to   civilians,   and adopting the path of diplomacy and dialogue for a peaceful resolution. India has engaged with and maintained communication at various levels with   all   parties   and   players   involved   in   various   global   conflicts.   In conversations   with   global   leaders   at   the   highest   levels,   India   has emphasized to all Member States of  the UN that the global order is anchored on international law, UN Charter and respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states.

(e) Government has taken a number of significant steps to promote the rich cultural heritage of India abroad.   The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) promotes Indian culture worldwide through its Cultural Centres   and   Missions/Posts   abroad.   Activities   conducted   by   them include,   inter-alia,   teaching   of   Yoga,   Dance,   Music   (vocal   and instrumental),   Sanskrit   and   Hindi;   organising/supporting   Conferences/ Seminars/ Workshops in different fields of  Indian culture; supporting Chairs of Indian Studies in  foreign universities; gifting of busts/statues of   Mahatma Gandhi and other national icons, exchanging visual arts exhibitions, celebrating   International Day of Yoga, Ayurveda Day and Indian festivals, promoting Indian films, hosting visitors under various Visitors   Programmes   (Academic/Distinguished/Important/Gen.   Next Democracy Network); and sponsoring scholarships to foreign students under different scholarship schemes.

The   Government   has   also   made   conscious   efforts   in   working towards conservation of  cultural sites abroad, especially in the South-East   Asian   region   in   recent   times.   In   March   2020,   a dedicated Division in MEA   Development Partnership Administration   (DPA)-   IV   was   established   for   undertaking   such conservation   projects.   This   Division   implements   projects   in collaboration   with   the   Archaeological   Survey   of   India   and   the Ministry   of   Culture.   Currently,   the   Ministry   of   External   Affairs,

through the DPA-IV division, is engaged in conservation projects at 4 world heritage sites which include Ta Prohm Temple, Cambodia; Preah Vihear Temple, Cambodia; Vat Phou Temple, Lao PDR; My Son group of Temples, Vietnam. *****