Statement by Mr. Amit Narang, Counsellor, on Agenda Item 22: ‘Globalization and Interdependence’ at the Second Committee of the 69th Session of the United Nations General Assembly on
October 27, 2014

 Mr. Chairperson,

Thank you for giving me the floor.

India associates itself with the statement made by the distinguished representative of the Plurinational State of Bolivia on behalf of G-77.

We thank the Secretary General for the reports on the subject of Globalization and Interdependence.

Mr. Chairperson,

Globalization binds us together in a common destiny.

The forces of globalization have brought people closer to each other in unprecedented ways. In doing so, it has created growth and wealth and made us more interdependent.

Yet, as the Millennium Declaration had noted, the benefits of globalization are very unevenly shared, while its costs are unevenly distributed.

The defining trait of globalization is mobility - of goods, services, capital, information, labour, technology, ideas and more than anything else, of people.

A globalized world has entailed that we do not live in islands anymore.

The scale and scope of common problems that we confront and the way in which actions in one part of the world affect all others, has meant that we live in a world where we act together, succeed together and even fail together.

Increasingly therefore, an approach founded on a zero-sum game perspective won’t be enough.

Mr. Chairperson,

The 2004 World Commission on the Social Dimension of Globalization emphasized that ‘International rules favour the developed world over developing countries and the powerful over the less strong’. This assertion remains true even today.

A globalized world demands that the international regimes for global governance are reflective of contemporary realities. The world of 21st century is drastically and fundamentally different from the one at the middle of the last century.

Yet, unfavorable and iniquitous international regimes, in which developing countries have a marginal say, continue to prevent developing countries from taking full advantage of globalization.

Even as the growing South is being asked to take on wider responsibilities, what is required is a comprehensive restructuring of the international decision making and norm-setting structures in a time bound manner, to give greater voice and participation of developing countries.

Mr. Chairperson,

An effective approach for managing global problems while maximizing global opportunities demands it be based on the fundamental principle of ‘equity’.

It is important to craft and maintain an equitable international order that respects the developmental diversity of the world, allowing flexibility, facilitation and policy space to developing countries while demanding greater action from the developed world.

The principle of equitable sharing of resources must also underpin our efforts to manage global commons like the environment and climate change.

Mr. Chairperson,

International mobility of people is an intrinsic and a key component of globalization.

What is needed is a holistic approach to international migration premised on its developmental paradigm.

This approach needs to be sensitive to the national circumstances of countries of origin, transit and destination. It should seek to maximize the mutually beneficial nature of international migration while reducing its negative effects.

Given the significant benefits global movement of people has brought for the economic development of developed countries, there is an urgent need for liberalization and simplification of procedures which govern Mode 4 movement.

Such liberalization would permit mutually beneficial solutions, matching the demand for specialists in developed countries with the availability of such talent in developing countries.

However, irregular migration is an issue with serious security implications, and requires coordinated and concerted global action to tackle it. Similar action is required against the attendant evil of trafficking of people.

Mr. Chairperson,

A fundamental premise of globalization is mutual respect for cultures. A culture-sensitive approach is crucial to tailor policy responses to the multitude of cultures and national circumstances.

From an Indian perspective, a culture-sensitive approach is one that embraces differences, celebrates diversity and promotes mutual respect. Only such an inclusive approach can enable us to pursue collective global objectives in a spirit of solidarity.

The experience of the practice of global governance, the word practice being both a noun and a verb here, has made it clear that a one-size-fits-all approach is designed to fail.

A flexible approach to global norm-setting that weaves in cultural particularities and national circumstances is particularly important for the success of development initiatives.

And as the international community brings its heads together for a new development agenda for the post-2015 period, a flexible and culture-sensitive approach would be vital.

Mr. President,

Embracing the true spirit of globalization also means that the flow of ideas cannot be a one-way street.

Benefitting from globalization entails open minds that embrace good ideas from all over.

India, as a millennia old civilization and with its multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-cultural and multi-lingual social ethos and a pluralistic, democratic polity, has a lot to contribute to enrich the global discourse of ideas.

To take just one example, culture and its relationship with sustainable development, which is also a topic for discussion in today’s debate, we do believe that the Indian ethos of harmony with nature, of treating nature’s bounties as sacred, of seeking a dialogue with nature rather than seeking to dominate it, has special relevance in today’s day and age.

A culture of frugality, of doing more with less, of taking only as much as required from nature and of no wastage, is a part and parcel of the traditional wisdom a child in India receives through generations and millennia in India.

Rather than treat nature as a commodity, we need to instill a culture of frugal living, less wastage and equitable sharing of resources.

This is particularly relevant for today’s world struggling to manage global commons and achieve sustainable development.

The Indian tradition of Yoga, as our Prime Minister pointed out during the high level debate of the General Assembly is one such treasure of the Indian civilization which is extremely relevant for the globalized world.

The holistic approach to life that Yoga fosters could contribute not only to an improvement in quality of life but also greater harmony between people and between man and nature.

Mr. Chairperson,

Let me conclude Mr. Chairperson  by quoting the prescient words of the World Commission on the Social dimension of globalization which gave its report in 2004.

It said ‘The dominant perspective on globalization must shift more from a narrow preoccupation with markets to a broader preoccupation with people. Globalization must help to overcome inequality both within and between countries and contribute to the elimination of poverty.’

Ten years after the report was published, this message cannot be more pertinent that it is today.

I thank you.

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