India's G-20 Presidency 2023:
Five Remarkable Victories
The G-20 Summit, hosted by India in 2023, was a resounding victory for the nation. The theme of the Summit was ” Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family,One Future”. The world witnessed a significant event that has not only showcased India’s prowess on the global stage but also shattered the skeptics’ predictions. The Summit addressed essential issues like food security,climate,energy,development,health and digitalization. The 18th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20) took place on September 9 to 10, 2023 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The Summit in Delhi saw the unanimous consensus of all nations with more than 70 outcomes and the most substantial progress compared to previous presidencies. The global leaders have not just praised India but have felt the par India holds in the global space today.
US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva are among the G20 leaders who were presented during the G20 Summit. India’s special powers as the G-20 President allowed it to invite countries beyond the G-20, including Bangladesh, Singapore, and the UAE. Notably absent were China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, along with Ukraine’s Zelenskyy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared in his opening address that India’s Presidency of the G20 had become a symbol of inclusion and togetherness within and outside the country. He called on world leaders to transform the trust deficit into confidence in order to find new solutions to age-old challenges.“This is a time for all of us to walk together, and the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’ can become a guiding light for all of us” declared PM Modi.
We bring to you the top five remarkable achievements that made India’s G-20 Presidency an unforgettable moment in history.
Victory Number 1: Expanding the G-20 to G-21 with Africa
India’s G-20 Presidency was not just about hosting a summit but about expanding the G-20 to include the African Union, effectively creating the G-21. Africa’s inclusion in this global group was a masterstroke for India.The African Union comprises 55 countries with a combined population of 1.3 billion, including significant nations like Egypt, Ethiopia, and South Africa. Africa is considered a treasure chest.
Victory Number 2 : Achieving Real Outcomes
Amitabh Kant, India’s G-20 Sherpa, previously declared the 2023 G-20 Summit would be known for its impact, boasting an impressive 112 outcomes. These outcomes encompassed critical areas such as economic growth, sustainable development, climate change, finance, private sector involvement, and the eradication of child labor.
India did not shy away from addressing global challenges during the summit. It called attention to the world’s insufficient progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, with only 12% of targets on track. Even countries like Ukraine, with whom India pursued a non-aligned stance during the Ukraine-Russia Conflict, expressed support for India’s New Delhi Declaration.
In a world fraught with geopolitical tensions, reaching consensus on 112 diverse issues at the G-20 was a monumental achievement. It demonstrated India’s ability to foster cooperation on a global scale, transcending individual disputes and prioritizing collective progress.
Victory Number 3: Diplomatic Triumph in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh
India’s decision to hold G-20 events in states like Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh sent a powerful diplomatic message. These regions have been focal points of geopolitical tension, particularly with Pakistan and China.
Despite the challenges of organizing events in these areas, India succeeded in showcasing stability and progress in Kashmir, with a 99% reduction in incidents of stone pelting. Hosting G-20 meetings in Arunachal Pradesh indirectly addressed China’s territorial claims and sent a subtle message opposing its expansionist ambitions.
Leaders from countries neighboring these regions attended the Indian G-20 events, providing indirect support and sending a clear message to Pakistan and China.
Victory Number 4: India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC)
The most significant triumph of India’s G-20 Presidency was the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEEC). This ambitious project promises to reshape global trade dynamics. The US and EU are supporting an ambitious plan to create an economic corridor connecting Europe, the Middle East, and India through rail and sea routes. President Joe Biden called it a “significant initiative.” This project aims to link India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Israel, and the EU via shipping ports and railways, facilitating faster and cheaper trade while enhancing economic cooperation and digital connectivity in the region.
Known as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, this initiative could accelerate trade between India and Europe by 40% and contribute to normalizing relations between Israel and the Gulf states, aligning with the Biden administration’s goals. Moreover, it serves as a strategic counterbalance to China’s extensive Belt and Road project, which spans Asia, Africa, and Latin America, giving China considerable influence over struggling economies.
Victory Number 5: Achieving Consensus on a Global Stage
India’s presidency of the G20 was undoubtedly marked by an unexpected consensus between the leaders, particularly on the controversial terms relating to the Russian war. On Saturday, the White House hailed this year’s G20 summit a success, claiming that the final communiqué contained “consistent paragraphs” on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – despite the notable omission of the word “Russia” from those paragraphs, which drew sharp criticism from the Ukrainian government.
The Group of 20 adopted a consensus declaration at a summit on Saturday that avoided condemning Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states not to use force to grab territory. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Leaders’ Declaration had been adopted on the first day of the weekend G20 summit in New Delhi.
“On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration,” declared PM Modi.
In conclusion, India’s G-20 Presidency in 2023 has been a turning point in global politics and economics. It showcased India’s leadership on the world stage, expanded the G-20 to include Africa, achieved tangible outcomes, diplomatically asserted its stance in disputed regions, and unveiled the transformative IMEEC project. As India continues to shape the future of global cooperation, the world is witnessing a new era of leadership and collaboration.Brazil has been selected to host the forthcoming Group of 20 (G20) Summit in 2024, scheduled for July 12 to 14. The summit will focus on discussions covering finance, sustainable infrastructure, climate change, and various other subjects.