Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took center stage at the United Nations’ ‘Summit of the Future’ in New York on September 23, 2024, presenting India’s vision for global governance reform and sustainable development. The theme of the Summit, “Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow,” attracted world leaders from across the globe, all seeking to address the shared challenges of today while creating pathways for a more sustainable and equitable future.
During his speech, Prime Minister Modi underscored India’s commitment to promoting peace, development, and prosperity on the global stage. Representing one-sixth of the world’s population, Modi emphasized the importance of a people-first approach to global governance. “When we are discussing Global Future, we must accord the highest priority to a Human-centric approach,” Modi said, reflecting India’s focus on inclusive development and collective progress. This focus, he suggested, is not just theoretical; India’s recent achievements in poverty reduction provide concrete evidence. Over the past decade, the country has lifted 250 million people out of poverty, a significant achievement Modi proudly cited as proof that sustainable development is possible. “We have demonstrated that Sustainable Development can be Successful,” he declared.
Modi’s speech also reflected India’s broader global role, particularly in relation to nations in the Global South. He offered India’s development experiences as a template for other countries, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge and technology in addressing common global challenges. Modi noted how India’s progress in digital public infrastructure could serve as a model for broader global application. This infrastructure, according to Modi, has empowered millions and improved governance in India, and he called for these tools to be made accessible worldwide, especially in developing countries.
Solidarity with the Global South was a recurring theme in Modi’s address, as he underscored India’s willingness to share its experiences and technological advancements for the global good. In his view, collective strength—not military might—is what will drive humanity forward. “Success of Humanity lies in our collective strength, not in the battlefield,” Modi proclaimed, urging for collaboration over conflict in addressing global issues.
The Indian Prime Minister also took the opportunity to call for urgent reforms in global governance institutions, with a particular emphasis on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). The need for reform, he argued, is crucial to maintaining the relevance of these institutions in an ever-changing global landscape. “Reform is the key to relevance,” Modi stated, pointing out that the current global governance structure has failed to keep pace with emerging challenges, especially in areas such as terrorism and cybersecurity. According to him, the UNSC needs to evolve to better represent today’s geopolitical realities and to be more responsive to the needs and concerns of the world’s population, particularly in regions that are currently underrepresented.
As part of his broader push for reform, Modi also highlighted the necessity for more balanced global regulations on technology. In a world increasingly dependent on digital solutions, he warned against the misuse of technology as a means of division and control. “Digital Public Infrastructure should be a Bridge, not a Barrier,” Modi said, advocating for a more inclusive and equitable approach to technology development and governance. He cautioned against the monopolization of digital infrastructure by a few nations or corporations and called for global standards that would allow for fair access to technology, especially in developing countries.
Modi’s vision for the future was deeply rooted in India’s guiding principle of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” which was reflected throughout his speech. This idea, Modi explained, is a cornerstone of India’s approach to global challenges, particularly in the areas of health and climate change. He pointed to initiatives like “One Earth, One Health” and “One Sun, One World, One Grid” as examples of how India is working to bring nations together in addressing common global challenges. “One Earth, One Health” promotes a holistic approach to global healthcare, focusing on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, while “One Sun, One World, One Grid” seeks to create a global solar power grid that can share renewable energy across borders.
Modi’s call for collective global action came at a time when the world is grappling with multiple overlapping crises, from climate change and pandemics to economic inequality and technological disruptions. For Modi, addressing these challenges requires not only the reform of global institutions but also a fundamental shift in how countries work together. By promoting multilateralism and emphasizing shared responsibility, he envisions a future where global action matches global ambition, particularly in the face of rising threats such as terrorism, climate change, and cyber warfare.
The Summit of the Future concluded with the adoption of a critical outcome document titled “A Pact for the Future.” This document outlines a roadmap for achieving a more equitable and sustainable world by strengthening multilateralism and promoting cooperation across borders. The Pact is accompanied by several key annexes, including the Global Digital Compact and a Declaration on Future Generations. The Global Digital Compact focuses on creating international standards for digital governance that ensure technology benefits all of humanity, while the Declaration on Future Generations aims to protect the interests of future generations by addressing long-term global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
Modi’s participation at the Summit underscored India’s growing influence on the global stage, particularly in shaping conversations around sustainable development and global governance reform. By advocating for a human-centric approach and calling for collective action, Modi positioned India as a leader in promoting global peace and prosperity.
As the world continues to face increasingly complex and interconnected challenges, Modi’s message of unity and collaboration resonates as a call to action for all nations. His emphasis on the need for reforms in global institutions, particularly the United Nations, reflects a broader recognition that the current global governance structures are ill-equipped to address today’s challenges. Modi’s speech served as a reminder that, in an era of rapid technological change and geopolitical uncertainty, the path to a better tomorrow lies in multilateral solutions and a commitment to shared progress.
The Summit of the Future provided a platform for world leaders to chart a course toward a more sustainable and equitable world. Modi’s speech, with its focus on human-centric governance, digital inclusion, and global solidarity, offered a vision of a future where humanity’s collective strength can overcome its most pressing challenges. The adoption of the “Pact for the Future” and its accompanying annexes marks a significant step forward in this journey, as the international community seeks to build a better tomorrow for future generations.
