G20 Summit: Modi Calls for Global South Focus Amid Food and Fuel Crises   

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the urgent need for the G20 to prioritise the challenges of the Global South, which has been severely affected by the food, fuel, and fertiliser crises stemming from global conflicts. Speaking during the first session of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, themed “Social inclusion and the fight against hunger and poverty,” Modi emphasised the importance of aligning discussions with the needs of these vulnerable nations.  

Modi’s remarks built on India’s recent efforts to amplify the voice of the Global South, including securing permanent G20 membership for the African Union during the New Delhi Summit. He highlighted the Brazilian G20 presidency’s continuation of people-centric initiatives, such as advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), fostering inclusive development, and addressing the aspirations of underrepresented nations.  

India’s Commitment to Food Security and Inclusive Development  

Modi commended Brazil’s proposal for a “Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty,” describing it as a vital step towards addressing world hunger, which affected 733 million people last year. India’s efforts in tackling hunger and poverty were showcased, with Modi citing initiatives that lifted 250 million people out of poverty over the past decade and distributed free food grains to 800 million individuals.  

India’s contributions to food security extend to promoting sustainable agriculture, focusing on millets, and leveraging technologies for climate-resilient crops. More than 40 million farmers have benefitted from India’s crop insurance scheme, while institutional credit of $300 billion has supported agricultural growth.  

Modi also noted India’s humanitarian assistance to countries such as Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, reinforcing its commitment to global food security. The Global Alliance, launched by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has garnered the support of 81 countries, international organisations, and NGOs, aiming to improve nutrition and food access for 150 million children by 2030 through financing and replicating successful national programmes.  With growing international backing, the initiative signals a collective global effort to combat hunger and uplift the most affected communities, ensuring a more equitable future.