India's G20 presidency has shaped its global future and brought the country to the forefront of the international stage, with discussions at the NDTV G20 Conclave focusing on energy transition, clean growth, digital economy, and India's rising global influence.
India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, highlighted the importance of addressing the concerns of the global south in promoting economic growth and development during the B20 Summit, stating that India recognized the absence of the global south's voice in the G20 and took steps to rectify this by convening the Global South Summit.
India's education and skill development minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, highlighted the nation's commitment to global well-being and its role as a laboratory for promoting common good during his address at the B20 Summit, emphasizing the importance of education and India's strengths in democracy, diversity, and critical sectors such as energy and agriculture.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the theme of India's G20 Presidency, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' is not just a slogan but a comprehensive philosophy derived from the country's cultural ethos. He also highlighted the importance of including the African Union in the G20 and expressed his belief that India will soon be among the top three economies in the world. The G20 Summit, to be held in September, will see increased security measures with 1,500 Delhi Police personnel deployed outside the venue.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed India's achievements during its presidency of the G20, highlighting its human-centric model of development and its response to the pandemic, which has gained recognition and appreciation from the international community; he also emphasized the importance of including the Global South and Africa in global affairs and addressing their needs. Additionally, Modi noted India's efforts in promoting renewable energy and the democratization of technology, while acknowledging the challenges of cybercrime and the need for global cooperation. He expressed confidence in India's future economic growth and its potential to become one of the top three economies in the world by 2030 and a developed country by 2047.
The Indian government is taking a different approach to the G20 summit, aiming to make it a national endeavor and involve different parts of the country, according to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has stated that India has prioritized its sovereign and economic interests while advocating for peace, emphasizing the importance of being restrained in using foreign policy for domestic politics. He also commented on India's handling of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, urging the G20 to focus on policy coordination rather than security differences. Additionally, Singh expressed optimism about India's future but stressed the importance of maintaining a harmonious society that celebrates diversity.
India is hosting the G20 summit as Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to establish himself as a global leader, but activist Arundhati Roy criticizes the event as a vanity event for Modi and raises concerns about the treatment of minorities in India.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived in India for the G20 Summit, expressing his respect for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his commitment to concluding a trade agreement between the UK and India, while also addressing issues such as Khalistani protests and the Russia-Ukraine war.
US President Joe Biden described India's plan to build a rail and shipping corridor linking India with the Middle East and Europe as a "game-changing investment" during the G20 Summit, aiming to boost trade, transport energy resources, and improve digital connectivity.
India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, addressed the New Delhi G20 Leadership Declaration, which called for peace in Ukraine, highlighting its significance as a consensus among members amidst tensions and divergent views over the conflict; however, the declaration received criticism for not mentioning Russia and for its language referring to the war 'in Ukraine' instead of 'against Ukraine'.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for global reforms and urged world leaders at the G20 summit to make global structures, including the UN Security Council, reflective of current realities and emphasized the need for India's permanent membership at the UNSC.
The 2023 New Delhi Summit of the G20 has been a success, with India demonstrating its ability to organize a global event; however, the summit's ability to produce substantial solutions to world problems, particularly the geopolitical crisis, is questionable. The summit managed to come up with a joint leaders' declaration, including language on Ukraine that accommodates all shades of opinion. The summit also focused on issues such as debt restructuring, climate change, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and terrorism financing. However, the effectiveness of these actions will depend on whether countries actually implement them.
The G20 summit in New Delhi showcased India's growing economic and geopolitical influence, but also highlighted concerns about the country's Hindu nationalist government and its approach to press freedom as journalists were largely restricted from covering the event.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described India as an "extraordinarily important" economy and a significant partner in various sectors, including combating climate change and fostering economic growth. He also highlighted Canada's commitment to defending peaceful protests while opposing violence and hatred, emphasizing that the actions of a few do not represent the entire community or the country.
The G20 summit in New Delhi saw the admission of the African Union, the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and an absence of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, signaling shifts in the international order and a move towards more inclusive organizations; however, Pakistan must address its internal issues to participate in these global trade networks and have its voice heard on issues like Kashmir.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that the West is not to be blamed for flooding Asian and African markets with goods, and there is a need to move past the negative perception of the West.
