Distinguished guests, legal luminaries, policymakers, and committed individuals

It is an absolute privilege to be part of the first regional conference on "Ensuring Access to Quality Legal Aid for the Vulnerable: Challenges and Opportunities in the Global South,".The theme of this conference, captures the essence of our collective endeavor and objective. Convergence of stakeholders to deliberate on these momentous issues of contemporaneous relevance especially for Global South is apt and timely. 

In a sense, theme of the conference complements the visionary steps taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Global South.

During India's presidency of the G20 in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged as a leading voice for the Global South, advocating for the interests of developing nations on the world stage, very effectively and impactfully.

Prime Minister Modi championed issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and digital transformation, emphasizing the need for inclusive and equitable solutions that address the unique challenges faced by developing countries including Global South.

This conference organized by The National Legal Services Authority of India together with- the International Legal Foundation, the UNDP and the UNICEF, presents a unique opportunity to forge a collective path towards ensuring access to justice for all, a basic human right that has long been the cornerstone of equitable and just societies.

Chief Justice Chandrachud is passionately in mission mode to secure, particularly for the marginalised sections, availability of legal aid and access to justice with ease.

Chief Justice Chandrachud has initiated in last one year series of affirmative innovative steps that are people-centric and litigant centric that have turned out to be game changer in bolstering both legal aid and easy access to justice system by vulnerable segments of society.

The upcoming Round Table conference under the leadership of Chief Justice Chandrachud promises to be a fruitful endeavor. His innovative approach to employment of technology in justice delivery has been transformative, and I am confident that this august group would get valuable insights and enormously benefit.

Today, we stand at a critical juncture in the pursuit of justice for all. Undoubtedly access to legal aid and justice system is quintessential to nurturing and blossoming of fundamental human values and fostering equitable societies.

Evolution of such ecosystem will nurture global order and welfare of humanity. The resounding declaration in the preamble of the Indian Constitution "We, the people of India," reflects the essence and spirit of an inclusive document aimed at  safeguarding the rights of every citizen, regardless of background, circumstances, or social standing.

Our constitution enshrines the principles of equality before the law and equal protection of the law. These provisions serve as inalienable facets -the bedrock of a just and equitable society.

Prescription in Article 32 of the constitution, the right of every individual to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of fundamental rights was eloquently reflected by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as the "soul of the Constitution.”

For over three decades, NALSA has stood as a beacon of inclusive and affordable legal aid for India's marginalized communities. NALSA's numerous initiatives have secured Ease of Justice, bridging the gap between legal services and those in need, particularly through over 5 million Tele Law consultations, demonstrating its dedication to leveraging technology for justice accessibility.

Under Justice Kaul's leadership, NALSA tirelessly strives to create a society where justice is a fundamental right for all.NALSA model of justice delivery is worth emulation by the nations of Global South.

The Indian Parliament, of which I’m a part by the virtue of being Chairman, Rajya Sabha, in its unwavering commitment to translating the constitutional promises into tangible realities, has embarked on a journey of legal reform, promoting mediation, repealing archaic laws that hinder progress and enacting new laws that address contemporary challenges.

India's civilizational ethos, deeply rooted in the concept of 'VasudhaivaKutumbakam,' “One Earth. One Family One Future” has shaped its foreign policy and its interactions with the Global South.

India has consistently stood as a torchbearer and a crusader for the rights and aspirations of all nations, particularly the young and newly independent countries of the Global South.

This commitment is evident in India's leadership of the Non-Alignment Movement, its unwavering demand for reforms in the United Nations Security Council, and its instrumental role in the recent inclusion of the African Union in the G20.

The Global South, encompassing a diverse landscape of nations, faces unique challenges in ensuring access to quality legal aid. Poverty, geographic remoteness, cultural barriers, and a complex legal system often create insurmountable obstacles for those seeking justice.

Yet, amidst these challenges, there lies an abundance of opportunities to advance the cause of legal aid.This conference for sure will deliberate on this ensuring light at the end of tunnel for the needy. Going by the discourse I have seen today, I have no doubt that tunnel will end soon and there will be bright sunshine to the extent justice system and legal aid is concerned.

As the Global South embarks on its journey towards a brighter future, it is imperative to shed the shackles of its colonial past and strive together to reverse the historical wrongs that have perpetuated injustice and inequality. This as a matter of fact is a common threat. The legacy of colonial legal regime has been highly burdensome on the vulnerable section of the society of these countries, by very nature that was aim to be very harsh and exploitative for local population. Time has come to follow India’s example and follow the same.

As sovereign nations, the Global South nations should consider reviewing old colonial laws that perpetuate prejudice against local populations. Our country is in the process and legislations are under consideration of Parliament that will bring about sea change in our outlook and totally contained curve and decimate those exploitative provisions in procedure and penology.

Sharing of best practices, fostering collaboration, and leveraging local expertise, would go a long way in strengthening the delivery of legal aid services across the region.

Much can be learned from this country for a simple reason that we are a diverse country with different regions, different cultures, different languages, and access to legal aid. Fortunately, with leadership we have at the moment in judiciary, is taking care of all these and it is turning out to be very seamless. The countries of global south would do well to closely study the actions which India has taken in these areas and apply them to their countries by customizing.

India's Presidency of the G20, its contribution of $25 million to the Social Impact Fund to support the implementation of Digital Public Infrastructure in countries of the Global South, and the two Voice of Global South summits hosted by Prime Minister Modi, stand as powerful testaments to India's spinal commitment to the cause of the Global South.

Just few years back, no one was even aware about global south. It failed to the lot of India's Prime Minister to bring it at the stage in a forum which is primarily dominated by developed countries and the success that has been achieved by the inclusion of African Union, side by side the European Union is remarkable.

This conference serves as a platform for sharing experiences, devising solutions, and crafting a better future, particularly for those in the Global South.

We have a deep emotive connect as a nation with the nations of global south culturally and otherwise.The negative aspects of colonial rule bind us together.We have suffered through the ages. We have to mitigate suffering by learning from each other.

Our country at the moment, as already indicated, is on a rise that is unstoppable.Our rise that is phenomenal. Our rise that has been acclaimed by the world.International Monetary Fund has reckoned India as a favorite global distribution of Investment and Opportunity. World Bank appreciated our digital moment to be emulated by others.

If I read aloud the statistics, you'll be amazed 2022,our digital transactions were four times the combined transactions of US, UK, France and Germany.

Our per capita internet consumption is more than that of China and US taken together.Imagine in a country like ours, where 110 million farmers thrice a year can get funds directly into their accounts.It is not significant that the government can do it.What is more significant and I see it as son of a farmer, the farmer is equipped to receive it and this has made India governance transparent and accountable as a norm. Global south countries can learn a lot from this country.How to secure zero accommodation for corruption.Neutralizing power corridors.Power brokers who extra legally leverage the decision making in commercial field, they have totally disappeared.These are not easy tasks, easy objectives to achieve. India have done it. From that perspective, I take this gathering as a strong beginning.A small step that will help us take a big leap.

Through idea exchange, best practice exploration, and partnership forging, we can pave the way for innovative approaches ensuring access to justice for all.

There was a time when countries of global south and countries like Bharatused to look at other countries in the what we say North.They used to settle our agenda.Now, Bharat has emerged as settler of agenda at a global level.

Let us therefore in togetherness, reimagined, regulate, harnessing technology, empowering communities, and bridging the gap between legal services and those in need. Let’s strive for a world where justice is fundamental right accessible to all, regardless of background, circumstances or location.

I welcome foreign delegates to this country to learn firsthand that India civilization ethos are marked with global welfare. We have created over the ages our Bharat as part of globe and the entire globe is our family. And this was demonstrated by India when the world faced pandemic COVID. Facing pandemic challenge in our country. About 100 countries were assisted by this country by supply of COVID Vaccine. So India's ethos are now translated into a ground reality impacting the entire world wholesomely. Rise of global south would constitute, according to me, the greatest stabilizing force for the world and it will generate growth trajectory of the world. Control it, gallop it and sustain it.

Friends, drawing inspiration from the global south traditions and cultural values, let's forge a path towards a world where justice means, marginalized voices are heard and equality is utilized for all. We don't have too far. Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi reflected on all these issues. He believed in a system by indicating the planet has everything for every one need but not for greed. Now, these are the relations which we can have bonding. Far more qualitatively, penetrating then bonding with the countries in the north. Our allies therefore has been developing organically his natural authentic. I'm so glad that this initiative has been taken. It will take us far away.

The deliberations in the conference will pay for harbour distance. I conclude by indicating the privation of access to justice system, denial of legal aid offer existential challenge to the vulnerable, to the weaker sections and we have to neutralize the challenges by affirmative policies and initiatives to secure justice for them. There couldn't be a more impactful beginning of this than in the place where we are at the moment.

I conclude by congratulating the Supreme Court of India for bringing about change of mindset, game changing policies and making Supreme Court virtually available to everyone in the country in virtual mode.

Thank you so much for your patience and time.

Jai Bharat!

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