Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision G20 presidency transcends mere torch-bearing of the global agenda; it encompasses catalysing change, sustainability, growth, and, above all, becoming the voice of the Global South.
This vision resonates with the ancient concept of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – the world as one family – signifying inclusivity and collaborative global action for the greater good.
As India assumed the G20 presidency amid a turbulent global panorama, it found itself at the helm of ‘polycrisis’ – an epoch marked by the convergence of a multitude of intricate challenges. This intricate web of predicaments encompasses post-pandemic recovery disparities, supply- chain bottlenecks triggered by the Ukraine crisis, global stagflation, and climate change. These issues demand a comprehensive global response.
Multilateral institutions
Yet, the existing global order and its Western-centric multilateral institutions appear to fall short in adequately reflecting these complex realities. In this context, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s words resonate well: “The search for solutions does not factor in our role or voice.”
Striving to mend this imbalance, India is championing the concerns and aspirations of the Global South, positioning the region at the core of its G20 presidency. It also hosted the ‘Voice of Global South Summit’. The spotlight on the Global South during India’s G20 presidency coincides with the ongoing RussiaUkraine conflict. This conflict, acting as a litmus test, has laid bare the stark disparities in perceptions between the Global North and South, underscoring longstanding underlying tensions.
Europe introspects
Moreover, India’s efforts have prodded Europe into introspection. The resounding echoes of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s statement – “Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems, but the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems” – reverberate not only across Global South but also within Europe.
Urgency for reforms
India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant underscored the acute inequities in the international financial architecture during the recently-held B20 Summit. He emphasised that the Global South faces an uphill battle, with multilateral financial institutions needing to bolster funding to stimulate global growth in the coming decades.
India’s advocacy for the Global South not only serves its interests but also speaks on behalf of a conglomerate of nations – vibrant, growing, assertive, yet exposed to vulnerabilities.
Prime Minister Modi’s call for the African Union’s full membership in the G20 reinforces this commitment. The rationale is straightforward – if the European Union, encompassing a population under 450 million, holds G20 membership, then the African Union, with over 1.3 billion people, is justified in seeking the same.
