Lok Sabha Question No. 947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Development Projects in Foreign Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

ANSWERED ON- 08/12/2023

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO-947

## DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS IN  FOREIGN COUNTRIES

947. SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN

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

(a) the steps and initiatives taken by the Government to promote self-reliance in the Global South, especially in mitigating economic vulnerabilities;

(b) whether the Government plans to expand its commitment to development projects in foreign countries, if so, the details thereof and the manner in which these projects address the current challenges;

(c) whether the Government envision initiatives like digital delivery, promoting green growth, and ensuring affordable health access that specifically benefit the Global South for its international partnerships in this context and if so, the details thereof and the role envisioned by the Government of India in this regard; and

(d) whether the Government plan to balance its commitment to the Global South with the growing stress on the international economy and global society and if so, the details thereof; and

(e)   the   outcomes/agreements   reached   during   the   Global   South   Summit   in   terms   of development, finance, health, education, and environment?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a & b) India's developmental assistance is aimed at addressing the needs and aspirations of the partner   countries,   thereby   contributing   towards   holistic   economic   development   of   these countries. Further,  Government has undertaken several steps to promote self-reliance among countries of the Global South, primarily through enhancing all-round connectivity and economic inter-linkages.   Government   has   been   undertaking   projects   ranging   from   large   scale infrastructure projects to community related projects in various sectors such as digital, health, housing, environment and education among others, to address challenges faced by the countries of the Global South and assist them in their developmental journey.

India's development assistance has been a catalyst for creation of much needed infrastructure in the   partner   countries   such   as   railway   links,   roads   &   bridges,   waterways,   border-related infrastructure,   transmission   lines,   power   generation.   In   addition,   Government   has   been extending financial, budgetary and humanitarian assistance to partner countries to aid them in mitigating economic challenges and overcome crises including that from natural disasters.

Government extends assistance i.e. grants-in-aid as well as the lines of credit to the partner countries   based   on   mutual   consultations   taking   priorities   of   the   partner   countries   into consideration.

(c) Government does envision the initiatives such as digital delivery, promoting green growth and ensuring affordable health access that specifically benefit the Global South. Government provides capacity building courses through the digital delivery medium for our partner countries under the flagship program Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC). Under digital delivery, Government is working to promote India-originated Digital Public Infrastructure such as UPI, Unique ID, DigiLocker etc. among countries of the Global South. These initiatives will also help enhance the outreach of public services in an efficient and seamless manner in countries of the Global South.

In line with the aim of providing affordable health access, Government financed construction of Pre-fabricated Health Posts in Zambia. Government is also working on number of projects in the health sector in Global South countries under grant-in-aid based assistance such as supply of dialysis machines to Nepal and The Gambia, upgradation of renal transplant units, setting up of a   dedicated   ENT   Hospital,   construction   of  Area   Healthcare   centres   and   a   Mediclinic   in Mauritius. Health facilities have also been salient in our Neighbourhood First agenda.

Government is committed to promote green initiatives. India is the founding member of the International Solar Alliance, Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and Global Bio-fuel Alliance. Further Government is funding multiple solar projects across Global South countries under various development cooperation initiatives.

(d) Government is committed to its roles and responsibilities towards the comity of nations including the Global South. Government believes that all the nations including the Global South must come together to face the challenges before the international economy and global society.

(e) The Voice of Global South Summit is a unique initiative undertaken by the Government to bring together the countries of the Global South to discuss and deliberate on developmental issues of interest to them. The 1 st Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) was held on 12-13 January, 2023. The 2 nd VOGSS was held on 17 November, 2023. Both Summits were held in virtual format, with 10 sessions each.

Apart from the Inaugural and Concluding Leaders' Sessions led by Prime Minister, both the Summits also had 8 Ministerial sessions. Ministerial sessions include 2 Foreign Ministers' sessions   hosted   by   the   External   Affairs   Minister,   and   one   session   each   by   Ministers   of Education, Finance, Commerce, Energy/Petroleum & Natural Gas, Environment and Health.

During the 1 st VOGSS, Government offered to share India's experiences  through  simple, scalable and sustainable solutions. Prime Minister, highlighted India's achievements in vaccine development, biometric based identification, digital public goods, financial inclusion, satellite technology, digital governance, last mile connectivity, etc. Prime Minister, also spoke about the need for the developing world to have access to technology, knowledge and critical resources. Prime Minister's call for a new human centric development paradigm received widespread support from participating VOGSS Leaders.

During the Concluding Leaders' session of 1 st VOGSS, Prime Minister announced a number of new initiatives by India in connection with the Voice of Global South Summit. These include:

-  Aarogya Maitri

-  Global South Centre of Excellence
-  Global South Young Diplomats Forum
-  Global South Science and Technology Initiative
-  Global South Scholarships

The summary of deliberations held during the 1 st Voice of Global South Summit held in January 2023 encapsulating the deliberations and outcomes at all the sessions, including their themes, is available at https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/36119/ Summary\_of\_Deliberations\_Voice  \_ of\_Global\_South\_Summit\_2023\_January\_1213\_2023

During the 2 nd VOGSS, the VOGSS Leaders highlighted the following broad areas for collective global actions in order to realise the vision for an inclusive, peaceful and prosperous future for all:

I. Fostering Human Centric Development for our 'One Future': Together  for Everyone's Growth, Everyone's Trust

II. Promoting Human Centric Climate Action- through individual actions (LiFE)

III. Implementing just, affordable and inclusive energy transitions while leaving no one behind

IV. Delivering on Financing for Development

V. Leveraging technological transformation though Digital Public Goods  for benefit of all

VI. Reinvigorating and Reforming the Multilateral System for an Inclusive, Peaceful and Prosperous Future

VII. Encouraging Women-led Development to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

VIII. Accelerating the integration of Global South countries in global value chains

IX. Prioritizing the achievement of 2030 agenda and its SDGs

- X. Strengthening International cooperation on Countering Terrorism

The summary of deliberations held during the 2 nd Voice of Global South Summit held in November 2023 encapsulating the deliberations and outcomes at all the sessions, including their themes, is available at https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/37278/ Chairs\_summary\_2nd\_Voice\_of\_the\_Global\_South\_Summit\_November\_17\_2023

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