India's G20 Presidency: Paving the Way for Global Change

India's G20 Presidency: Paving the Way for a New Global Order

Introduction: The G20, a multilateral forum, has assumed a critical role in a world where the United Nations no longer serves as the primary global problem-solver. India's G20 presidency signifies the emergence of emerging powers and has brought about significant accomplishments, including the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member.

Highlights of the 18th G20 New Delhi Summit: The 18th G20 Leaders' Summit marked a positive beginning with strengthened bilateral relations between India and the United States, reinforced by various business deals, defense partnerships, and leader-to-leader camaraderie. Similar strong bilateral meetings were planned during the summit.

Key Agendas Set by India for the 18th G20 Summit:

1. Addressing Global Crises: India's goals for its presidency encompassed international and domestic concerns, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. India's proactive management of the pandemic highlighted its commitment to global health and preparedness, a focus it will carry into future presidencies.

2. Leadership in Digital Inclusion: India seized the opportunity to lead in digital inclusion through its unique offering, the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved success in numerous countries, despite resistance from private entities in the US and Chinese state companies.

3. Maintaining Balance in the Russia-Ukraine War: In a year marked by ideological and economic divides, India navigated the Russia-Ukraine conflict adeptly, maintaining a fine balance between its relationship with Russia and enhancing its ties with the US, as evident during the Indian PM's visit to Washington DC.

4. Democratizing the G20 Process: India transformed the G20 process, infusing it with the spirit of a colorful festival and taking it to various Indian cities, fostering curiosity about global events in a traditionally inward-looking nation. The rigorous policy emphasis also served as an educational experience for domestic policymakers.

Challenges and India's Approach:

Challenges arose from disagreements between the G7 and G20 on key issues such as the Russia-Ukraine war, financial reform, debt forgiveness, digitalization, energy, climate commitments, and trade. While Japan and India's cooperation was hoped for, India's diplomatic efforts have focused on expanding the G20's association with the Global South.

India's Role as a Rule-Maker:

While India has been a diligent rule-taker, its G20 presidency provides an opportunity to become a more influential rule-maker. Successful leadership during its presidency will undoubtedly bolster India's influence on the global stage.

The Way Ahead for the G20:

Efforts to establish a more equitable multilateral order will continue under Brazil and South Africa's upcoming G20 presidencies. The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) grouping will play a pivotal role in collaborating on key global issues.

Conclusion: India's G20 presidency has brought together governments from developed and developing nations, symbolizing a pivotal moment in global diplomacy. By advocating for the inclusion of the African Union, India has become the voice of the global South, marking a significant achievement in the 18th G20 New Delhi Summit.

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