Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called for rebuilding trust in international relations, telling world leaders at the G7 Summit’s Outreach Session in Evian, France, that the world today is grappling not with a shortage of resources but with a growing deficit of trust, and that the future of global partnerships depends on restoring confidence and solidarity among nations.
Addressing the session on “Forging New Partnerships and Rebuilding International Solidarity,” Modi said that in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, meaningful partnerships can succeed only when they are founded on mutual trust.
“Mutual trust is the most important strategic asset today,” the Prime Minister said. “But, sadly, today, the world does not suffer from a shortage of resources; it suffers from a shortage of trust. And the future of our partnerships depends on rebuilding this trust.”
His remarks came at a time when the international community is confronting multiple crises, including geopolitical conflicts, economic uncertainty, climate challenges, supply-chain disruptions and growing divisions between developed and developing nations. Against this backdrop, Modi argued that global cooperation must be anchored in trust, inclusivity and respect for the aspirations of all countries.
Reiterating India’s long-held civilisational belief that “the world is one family”, Modi said development initiatives are most effective when they are closely linked to the needs and aspirations of people. He noted that this philosophy has shaped several major international initiatives launched or supported by India in recent years.
“The principle that development must be people-centric forms the basis of our international partnerships,” he said, citing initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance, Mission LiFE and the environmental campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree for Mother).
The Prime Minister stressed that genuine partnerships should empower nations to chart their own development paths rather than create long-term dependencies. “India believes that the true test of partnership is not what we build for others, but what we enable others to build for themselves,” he said.
Highlighting India’s approach to development cooperation, Modi said New Delhi’s efforts have consistently focused on capacity building, skill development and strengthening local capabilities in partner countries. Such initiatives, he noted, are designed to create sustainable growth and self-reliance rather than temporary assistance.
A significant portion of Modi’s address focused on the aspirations of the Global South, a grouping of developing and emerging economies whose concerns India has increasingly sought to amplify on global platforms. He said countries of the Global South are seeking equitable partnerships rather than aid-driven relationships.
“The Global South has immense expectations from the world. More than support, it seeks partnership,” Modi said. “We must move beyond the donor-recipient mindset and work as equal partners. We must walk together and not merely alongside one another. Partnerships must be linked to dignity, not dependency.”
The Prime Minister’s remarks echoed themes that India has consistently advanced during its recent engagements with developing nations, including calls for greater representation of the Global South in international decision-making institutions and more equitable access to technology, finance and development opportunities.
Modi also highlighted India’s growing engagement with Africa, describing it as an example of the country’s partnership-driven development model. He pointed to Indian initiatives in training, capacity building, water resource management, agriculture and energy as areas where cooperation is helping African nations strengthen their capabilities and address critical developmental challenges.
According to Modi, these efforts are not only contributing to local development but are also enabling African countries to offer solutions to broader global challenges, including food security, sustainable development and climate resilience.
The Prime Minister’s intervention at the G7 Outreach Session reflects India’s broader diplomatic effort to position itself as a bridge between developed economies and the Global South. As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a leading voice for developing nations, India has sought to promote a framework of international cooperation based on inclusivity, shared growth and mutual respect.
The Outreach Session, which brought together G7 leaders and invited partner countries, focused on strengthening international cooperation at a time of mounting global challenges. Modi’s emphasis on trust, dignity and equal partnership underscored India’s view that sustainable global progress will require a reimagining of international relationships—one that places empowerment and solidarity at its core.
As global leaders deliberate on pathways to economic recovery, climate action and geopolitical stability, Modi’s message from Evian highlighted what he described as the essential foundation for all future cooperation: rebuilding trust among nations and ensuring that partnerships enable countries to become architects of their own development rather than passive recipients of assistance.