THE G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9 and 10 achieved what none of the previous editions of the premier grouping could. Reflecting India’s civilisational philosophy, it opened its arms to the 55-member African Union.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at the concluding session, it’s time to “look beyond the idea of a global village and make the vision of a global family a reality”.
The world leaders were impressed by PM Modi’s motto of inclusive development (Sabka Ka Saath Sabka Vikas). They were also convinced by his push for structural reforms in multilateral organisations, including the UN, the WTO and the World Bank, to reflect the changing ground realities.
Multilateral summits like G20, which unite nations from both, the North and the rapidly developing South, face tremendous challenges and immense opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world.
India global leader
With PM Modi’s deft navigation of discussions among the world’s top leaders, the New Delhi summit under India’s chairmanship crossed all the major hurdles and paved the way for India to be global leader.
It accepted India’s proposal to induct the African Union representing 55 countries as its full-fledged member. Most importantly, it also managed a unanimous joint statement on the fractious Ukraine conflict which was acceptable to both the warring groups.
Getting a consensus on all the issues, and that too on the very first day of the summit, was an incredible diplomatic achievement and that made the 18th G20 summit in New Delhi remarkably successful.
Chairing the conclave, PM Modi announced that all members had reached a consensus on the Leaders’ Declaration. He then went on to announce its adoption as other G20 leaders thumped their desks.
The breakthrough in the negotiation came when India succeeded in persuading the US and the rest of the West to agree on a draft text that did not criticise Russia while acknowledging the consequences of the war in Ukraine for the global economy.
Unlike the previous summit in Bali, Indonesia, the New Delhi Declaration refrained from condemning Russia for its “special military operations” in Ukraine.
Other tangible gains
There were other tangible gains from the summit which displayed India’s ability to shape global platforms to provide solutions to common challenges.
The launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance to boost the use of cleaner fuels is India’s second institutional commitment to the energy transition after the creation of International Solar Alliance.
And in the spirit of shaping a more inclusive global economic order, a comprehensive rail and shipping network has been announced linking India, West Asia, the European Union and USA.
With its deft leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India managed to put its own distinct imprimatur on the G20-plus, making it a much more dynamic platform.
