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CWA # 1085, 9 October 2023
Commentary
G20 Summit: India the Global Host

  Prof Joyati Bhattacharya

"India’s growth story over the last decade on the global stage and to the domestic audience"

Introduction 
When India assumed the G-20 Presidency from Indonesia on December 1, 2022, the global community largely regarded it to be a routine reshuffling. With the exception of India itself, no other nation was particularly enthusiastic about the prospect of India’s assuming presidency and also there was no significant media buzz around it outside India. But one year down the lane there is reason to believe that India has not only exhibited exceptional success in handling the presidency but has also redefined the approach of using a multilateral forum for the welfare of the global community while pursuing its national interests actively. The two-day summit convened in New Delhi from 9-10 September is significant as it facilitated the forum for a substantive exchange of ideas and potential resolution of various pressing issues like climate change, sustainable development, the restructuring of global financial institutions, gender equality, and inclusive economic growth including Russia-Ukraine war without any divergence among the participating members. As the host country India demonstrated its commitment to multilateralism and its ability to build consensus among nations with diverse viewpoints. It is noteworthy that India assumed the position of Presidency during an exceedingly challenging world scenario in which, on the one hand, the world economy was grappling with the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, while on the other hand, the Russia-Ukraine war replicated the division seen during the good old cold war days. The conflict caused such a sharp division among nations that many were concerned that India's neutral stand towards Russia would have a detrimental impact on the G-20's future. Fortunately, these concerns proved unfounded as India managed to maintain the delicate balance between Western nations and Russia without offending either side. It is indeed an important achievement that bolstered India’s standing in the global arena.

G20 and Russia- Ukraine Issue  
India's stance on Russia was firmly grounded in its own national interests and its commitment to a longstanding ally, while its astute denunciation of the use of force upon a nation's territorial integrity is a reaffirmation of India's enduring foreign policy principles, albeit with a motive to please its western allies. India effectively utilized its growing influence to deftly navigate between the contrasting positions in which it found itself juxtaposed amidst speculation from media, academia, and foreign policy experts. New Delhi Declaration of the G20 Summit lends credence to that. All the fierce critics of Russia at the G-20 forum adhered to the line that India has chosen with regard to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. It is a significant accomplishment for India since it could persuade and convince the West from Russia being named and shamed in the declaration which would have caused huge embarrassment for India and at the same time could take onboard and secure the support of both Russia and China in denouncing the arbitrary use of force against a nation's sovereignty..‘…In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible’ (Point No. 8 of the Delhi Declaration). This statement is in full compliance with India's stand on the Russia-Ukraine conflict from its very beginning, and despite being unexpected the global community complied with it faithfully. 

Exhibiting India’s Opulent Culture and History
From the conceptualization of the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam to the embellishment of Bharat Mandapam with the statue of Nataraj, India made a deliberate effort to underscore India’s rich diversity and cultural heritage. In an effort to reinforce India's age-old philanthropic legacy, the Indian Prime Minister commences his introductory address by referencing a verse engraved in the Prakrit language on the Delhi-Topra pillar. This verse proclaims the indispensable need to safeguard the well-being and happiness of humanity in perpetuity. It is important to note that the selection of the Konark Chakra as a prominent backdrop on the inaugural day of the summit, along with the positioning of PM Modi to welcome guests with the backdrop of Nalanda Vishwavidyalaya at the banquet dinner party hosted by the Indian President, were not mere coincidences. These were well-crafted visuals created with the aim of not only persuading the international community to place their trust in India’s strength and belief in India’s rich heritage and wisdom but also guiding the domestic audience towards accepting India as a Vishwaguru.  Credit must be attributed to the present ruling dispensation for skillfully accomplishing two objectives simultaneously. While the world at large praised India’s dynamic leadership, the people back at home felt convinced of India’s rising stature and Modi’s unquestionable leadership. 

On the African Union and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor 
The cherry on the cake was the inclusion of the African Union in the forum. ‘During India’s G20 presidency, the initiative to seek a permanent place for the African Union (AU) at the high table was perhaps the most daring of Indian diplomatic acts. With this, India manifested that incorporating concerns of the global south in the G-20 process was not mere lip service (The Week, September 2023, p.52). The entry of the 55-nation African Union in G20 has not only provided India with an opportunity to realize its long-cherished goal of representing the global south and gravitate the focus of this international forum towards the South, but it is also likely to disrupt China’s ambition to assume the exclusive role of the big brother of the South. The announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is rather an unforeseen gift for India, not exclusively due to its potential to revive the ancient spice route and boost trade, commerce, digital connectivity, and people-to-people contact between the two continents of Asia and Europe but also because the project holds the capacity to impede and derail China's ambitious BRI. 

BRI and Issues of Concern 
The BRI came with a plethora of conditions. It created a substantial amount of debt that has put many countries already in a debt trap. Many participants in the BRI are contemplating disengagement from the project. In such a scenario, the announcement of IMEC in which India is a major stakeholder, is sure to prompt China to rethink its strategy towards India. Thus, on the whole India’s G20 Presidency and its culmination in a two-day summit in New Delhi can be viewed as a dual victory for India. India effectively conveyed to the global community that it is deserving of recognition as a formidable power. This recognition is not solely due to India’s ability to counterbalance China and its vast market, but also due to its profound cultural legacy and capability to guide the world in the right direction. 

In Conclusion
To conclude, reference has to be made to the extensive participation of people in this global forum. This multilateral body was used skillfully to engage ordinary individuals. It was turned into a celebration that caters to the sentiment of common citizens of the country. The inclusion of youth, universities, various cultural groups, and NGOs became an integral part of India’s G20 Presidency, a practice that had not been previously done in any other G-20 meeting. India hosted over 200 meetings in about 60 cities, many of these cities were chosen strategically to provide a glimpse of Indian culture and the outcome of the meetings has been phenomenal both in terms of impressing guests and involving people. The government made a consistent effort to foster a sense of pride among citizens regarding India's G20 Presidency, and it seemed to have achieved this goal as many began to regard India as a Vishwaguru. Manisha Priyam, the noted political analyst commented that ‘the visuals of world leaders with PM Modi at the center, India as the voice of the global south, the adoption of the declaration without a hiccup are a huge win for the party. The achievement is that even its worst critics have been forced to say that it (the summit) was pulled off well. It may thus be concluded that India’s G20 Presidency and the two-day New Delhi Summit of G20 leaders provided a golden opportunity to exhibit Modi’s charismatic leadership, its people-centric policies, and India’s growth story over the last decade on the global stage and to the domestic audience as well. 

           

 

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