This year, for the first time, India will host the leaders of G-20 countries as India assumed the presidency of the G-20 in Bali, Indonesia, in December 2022. India, a country that is not only known for its commitment to liberal democratic values and respect for human rights but also a nation committed to unity in diversity, presiding over the G-20 is no less than a historic moment in any sense. India will host the G-20 summit at such a time when real-world politics is divided on the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war and Covid-19. A glimpse of which we have already seen during the 17th G-20 Summit held on Nov. 16, 2022 in Bali, Indonesia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov represented Russia instead of Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Bali summit. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the G-20 Grouping of being biased and partial towards the West. He left the G-20 meeting in between and returned to his country by leveling the charges on the G-20 that the Grouping serves the interests of America and Europe. In this context, it will be no less than a challenge for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the leaders of the entire G-20 countries on one platform.
The theme of the 18th G-20 summit will be based on the ancient Indian principle “Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” (The whole world is one Family). The purpose behind this theme is to give a message to the world that India believes in the Gandhian philosophy of truth and non-violence and the UN principles, and its policy is to take the whole world along and find global solutions to global problems. The same message is also reflected in the symbol of the 18th G-20 summit. India has always followed this religion (One Earth and One Family) and will continue to do so in the future. In this regard, India has set a target of holding more than 200 meetings at more than 56 places across the country. In which every state of India is included. The first meeting in this context was held last December in Udaipur, Rajasthan. According to various sources, the last meeting of the G-20 summit, which all the heads of G-20 states will attend will be held in New Delhi in September 2023.
G-20
The G-20 primarily consists of 19 countries and the European Union established in 1999 following the Asian financial crisis. Out of 19 countries seven are developed and 12 are developing countries and the European Union. Initially, the G-20 summits were attended by finance ministers and central bank governors of member states, but later on, the heads of states started participating. After that, the responsibility of this organization has increased at the global level. The G-20 comprises the world’s largest economies, accounts for approximately 80- 90% of the Gross World Product, and about 75-80% of worldwide trade and business-related activities. The G-20 countries also accounts for two-thirds of the global population.
India’s Role in G-20
India has assumed the G-20 presidency at a very crucial juncture of global politics. Hence, the presidency of the G-20 provides both an opportunity as well as a challenge for India’s leadership. India, by using the platform of G-20, can convey to the world that India is now ready to play an essential and active role not only at regional but also at global politics. The kind of problems and challenges that the world and humanity are facing are global. That means they are not confined to the boundaries of any one nation. And therefore, their solution requires collective international action.
India under Prime Minister Modi has prioritized the agenda for the 18th G-20 summit, which includes not only inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development but also health-related issues, agriculture, education, women’s empowerment; cyber security and digital infrastructure, culture, and tourism, technology-enabled development; climate financing; global food security related issues; green energy security; disaster risk reduction and resilience; development cooperation; and the fight against terrorism.
India has always talked about the world’s inclusive growth and collaborative development. India believes that no country can solve all the global problems and issues by itself, as we have already seen during the Covid-19. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has clarified that India’s G-20 Presidency will be ‘action-oriented, ambitious inclusive, and decisive.’ According to Prime Minister Modi, the G-20 presidency could also present an opportunity for Indians to share their knowledge and expertise with the world in areas such as democracy, digital technologies, women’s empowerment, and more. From the stage of G-20, India can show the world how the scope for conflict can be reduced when democracy becomes a way of life, which becomes quite relevant in the context of the Russia-Ukraine dispute.
India, under its G-20 presidency, has already formed the ‘G-20 Troika’ with Indonesia and Brazil. This will probably be the first time that the Troika will consist of three emerging and developing world economies. Hence, India aims to successfully establish a mutual balance and trust between the interests of the G-20 and developing countries. The G-20 presidency also provides an excellent opportunity for India to remove long-standing anomalies, particularly in ‘agriculture and food subsidies.’
The polarization of global politics makes it very difficult for India’s leadership to bring Russia and Western countries on one platform. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s second most significant challenge is taking the G-20 forum beyond economic activities. It will be fascinating to see in the changing dynamics of global geopolitics whether India will be able to get the support of other countries on the agenda, theme, and areas of cooperation that India has set for the discussion during the G-20 summit. Undoubtedly, India’s presidency of the G-20 is one step towards revitalizing the idea of a multilateral system. The leadership in India is confident of utilizing the opportunity of the G-20 summit to strengthen the image of the country at the global level.
[Photo by Wikimedia Commons]
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.
Dr. Santosh Kumar is an Assistant professor at the Department of South and Central Asian Studies, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda, India.
