The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued a statement on social media reaffirming the country’s ongoing commitment to the Global South. It emphasized the importance of the assistance in strengthening São Tomé and Príncipe’s public health system, particularly in the face of ongoing challenges.

“India reaffirms its commitment to the Global South. Humanitarian assistance of medical supplies comprising life-saving and essential medicines, including insulin, blood glucose monitors, and strips, human albumin, ORS, etc., has been dispatched to São Tomé and Príncipe. This assistance will help strengthen the public health services of São Tomé and Príncipe,” the MEA statement read.

This is not the first time India has extended its helping hand to São Tomé and Príncipe. Over the years, the two countries have built a strong partnership, with India providing significant aid to support the island nation’s development. In 2019, India gifted 150 computers to São Tomé and Príncipe to enhance the information technology capabilities of its ministries and secondary schools. The following year, India donated medicines worth Euro 95,000 (approximately USD 111,150) to the country, further solidifying its role as a reliable partner in times of need.

In 2023, India again came to the aid of São Tomé and Príncipe with a donation of life-saving drugs and generic medicines valued at USD 25,000. This ongoing support highlights the long-standing friendship between the two nations, which dates back to São Tomé and Príncipe’s independence from Portugal in 1975.

The bilateral relationship between India and São Tomé and Príncipe has grown steadily over the years, with both countries engaging in high-level diplomatic exchanges. Leaders from both nations have met at various international forums, such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). One notable milestone was the visit of Dr. Carlos Alberto Pires Tiny, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation & Communities of São Tomé and Príncipe, to India in 2009—marking the first high-level visit between the two countries since the island nation gained independence.

São Tomé and Príncipe has also expressed its support for India on the global stage, particularly in the context of India’s bid for a Permanent Seat on the United Nations Security Council. In recognition of India’s role in promoting South-South cooperation and its contributions to international peacekeeping, São Tomé and Príncipe pledged to back India’s aspirations, as well as its candidacy for a Non-Permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2011-2012 term.

India’s latest humanitarian aid reinforces the nation’s long-standing commitment to the well-being and development of countries in the Global South, marking another chapter in the enduring friendship between India and São Tomé and Príncipe.

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The summit, held in New Delhi on December 3, was organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Kant pointed out that emerging markets are expected to contribute a significant portion of global growth over the next three decades, underscoring the need to redesign financial institutions to better serve the needs of the Global South. He also stressed the importance of technological innovation, particularly Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), in driving economic growth in the region. “India has demonstrated this by technologically pole-vaulting through the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The important thing about DPI is that it is open source, open API, and globally interoperable. The data belongs to the citizen, not monopolized by big tech,” Kant said.

In addition, Kant called for a credit rating system for companies based on their greenhouse gas emissions, as large companies are responsible for a significant share of such emissions.

Rithi Pich, Secretary of State (Deputy Minister) at the Ministry of Commerce, Kingdom of Cambodia, noted that South-South cooperation has evolved into a vital mechanism to address the unique challenges faced by developing nations due to differences in resources, technology, and infrastructure. “By fostering trade and national and global integration, we would be able to create inclusive and sustainable economic opportunities to counteract global economic and trade uncertainties,” Pich added.

Minn Minn, Deputy Minister of Commerce, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, emphasized the need for coordinated and concrete actions to bridge the divide. “South-South cooperation provides a pathway for developing nations to share resources, knowledge, and innovative solutions to our unique context,” he stated. He also reiterated Myanmar’s commitment to regional integration.

Vikramjit Singh Sahney, Member of Rajya Sabha, India, and Chairman of Sun International Limited, remarked that this century belongs to the South-South and called for expanded trade. He identified five ‘Fs’ that should define the South-South partnership: food, fuel, fertilizers, freight, and the future. He suggested that developing countries must unite on international platforms to strengthen their negotiating power, especially in trade and climate finance.

Robert Appelbaum, Executive Consultant at Webber Wentzel, South Africa, remarked that South-South partnerships must go beyond procurement and become truly collaborative. He pointed to India’s support for vaccine supply during the COVID-19 pandemic as a strong example of such cooperation.

Nicholas Smedley, Chairman of FINDI, Australia, praised India’s collaborative approach with its regional neighbors, its economic reforms, and its ties across borders, which have spurred growth in services, manufacturing, and construction sectors in the region. He noted that India is uniquely positioned due to its geography, resources, and a young, driven workforce.

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