Double Standards on the Global Stage
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar didn’t hold back as he criticized what he sees as persisting double standards on the global stage. Speaking at a Ministerial Session titled ‘South Rising: Partnerships, Institutions, and Ideas,’ Jaishankar made it clear that he believes the world still operates under double standards. He pointed out that nations in influential positions are resisting change, emphasizing that those with historical influence have even weaponized their capabilities.
“I think more than political will, there is political pressure for change. There is a growing sentiment in the world and the Global South in a way embodies it. But there’s also political resistance. Those who are occupying positions of influence, we see this in the UN Security Council most of all, are resisting the pressure to change. Those who are economically dominant today are leveraging their production capabilities and those who have institutional influence or historical influence have actually weaponized a lot of those capabilities as well. They will all mouth the right things, but the reality is still today, it’s a world very much of double standards. But I think this whole transition will really be, in a sense, the Global South putting more and more pressure on the international system. And, the Global North East it’s not just the North. There are parts which may not think of themselves in the North, but are very resistant to change.”
S. Jaishankar, Indian External Affairs Minister
He highlighted the political pressure for change, especially in the Global South, while also acknowledging political resistance, particularly within the UN Security Council. Jaishankar mentioned that economically dominant nations leverage their production capabilities, and those with historical or institutional influence have weaponized their capabilities.
Check Out: Indian Government May Ease Import Rules for Laptops, PCs, and Tablets
S. Jaishankar The Need for Cultural Rebalancing
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of cultural rebalancing, which involves recognizing and respecting the diversity of the world, including heritage, traditions, music, literature, and ways of life. He cited the recent G20 Summit, where the Global South’s preference for millets over wheat was discussed.
Speaking at the event: India-UN for Global South: Delivering for Development https://t.co/YxQ0MlZzNp
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 23, 2023
He also touched upon issues troubling the world, such as debt, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) resourcing, climate action, digital access, nutrition, and gender. Jaishankar emphasized that these topics should not be overshadowed by other global concerns, and he praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative to engage with 125 countries through the Voice of Global South Summit 2023.
