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Bhubaneswar:10/1/25:External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized India’s commitment to women-led development and its integration into the country’s foreign policy.
Speaking at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas panel titled “Nari Shakti: Celebrating Women’s Leadership and Influence,” he highlighted that women-led development has always been a part of India’s foreign policy. He stressed the importance of incorporating women into all aspects of society in India’s journey toward becoming a Viksit Bharat (Developed India).
During his speech, he referred to the G20 Summit, stating, “When we chaired the G20, we strongly advocated for women-led development, which was ultimately accepted in the G20 conceptual framework.” He also noted that this idea was prominently pushed during the Summit of the Future.
Jaishankar pointed out India’s extensive development cooperation, especially with countries in the Global South, mentioning that India is engaged in various projects and capacity-building initiatives in 78 countries. Many of these projects focus on gender-sensitive issues, women’s equality, and opportunities for women, making this commitment an integral part of India’s foreign policy.
He added that women’s development is intrinsically linked to the concept of Viksit Bharat, stating, “You cannot progress toward a Viksit Bharat if you don’t address these issues.” He emphasized that to transform India into a modern, industrial, and technology-centred society, it is crucial to harness the potential of all talent, not neglecting half of the population.
Jaishankar also highlighted the significance of role models and the need for their achievements to become trends. “If these role models are replicated, internalized, and normalized, they can have a transformative impact on society,” he remarked.
In his closing remarks, Jaishankar mentioned that while GDP and infrastructure are common metrics for measuring progress toward Viksit Bharat, they are superficial unless we also address the human aspect of development.
The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention is the flagship event organized by the Government of India, providing an important platform for connecting with the Indian diaspora and facilitating their interactions. The 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention is being organized in partnership with the State Government of Odisha from January 8 to 10 in Bhubaneswar. The theme for this year’s convention is “Diaspora’s Contribution to a Viksit Bharat.” A significant number of members from the Indian diaspora, representing over 50 different countries, have registered to participate in the PBD Convention.
