Social progress achievable when people remain at the core of policy, and development becomes a shared endeavour: Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya

Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, and Colleagues,

It is my honour to represent India at this august forum.

30 years ago the Copenhagen Declaration placed people at the centre of development, with a focus on poverty alleviation, full employment and decent work, and social inclusion. India’s approach towards economic growth and social progress resonates with this declaration.

India’s development story is one of transformation at scale. In the last 10 years, through persistent reforms, convergence of welfare programmes, and digital innovation, approximately 250 million Indians have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty.

Excellencies,

India’s journey is guided by the profound philosophy of Antyodaya, meaning, empowering the very last person in the line. Our progress is a result of a lifecycle-based framework where a child receives a healthy foundation, a young adult finds support for education and livelihood, a worker gets decent work, and an elderly is guaranteed dignity and income security in old age.

Today, 118 million schoolchildren receive nutritious mid-day meals, over 800 million citizens have been provided with food security. Health security has been provided to 425 million Indians and over 37 million houses have been provided to those with low income.

Between 2017–18 and 2023–24, our unemployment rate has declined from 6% to 3.2% and women’s employment rate has nearly doubled. Millions of women have been mobilised into Self Help Groups. Credit disbursements have supplemented the strength of these women-led local institutions.

India’s social security coverage has increased from 19% in 2015 to 64.3% in 2025. Recognizing our efforts, the International Social Security Association has conferred India with the “ISSA Award for Outstanding Achievement in Social Security” this year.

Central to our efforts is the focus on seamless delivery of these programmes. Through a network of bank accounts, mobile internet ownership and unique citizen IDs, we have ensured efficient last mile delivery through Direct Benefit Transfer.

Excellencies,

The Political Declaration we are adopting in this summit resonates with the global priorities, especially recognition of women-led development, traditional medicine systems, digital public infrastructure, and cooperatives, as engines for inclusive growth.

Our economic growth and social development pathways are aligned with the sustainable development goals and our commitments regarding climate change. We remain steadfast on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals agenda of the UN.

We take strong objection to certain unjustified references made by President of Pakistan yesterday on India in its remarks.

This is an abuse of an international forum to distract the world from focusing on social development by peddling disinformation against India. We wish to set the record straight.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, Pakistan has undermined its spirit through sustained hostility and cross-border terrorism. It has also repeatedly misused the Treaty mechanisms to obstruct India’s legitimate projects.

As regards the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal affairs. This is particularly so when it indulges in acts of cross-border terrorism against the citizens of India.

Pakistan would do well to introspect and address its own serious challenges related to development which has made it dependent on hand-outs by international community. It should stop abusing international forums.