India sees its G20 Presidency as a catalyst for change and transformation of the world, a world stricken by multi-dimensional crises, such as food and energy insecurity, accentuated by geopolitical tensions.
At a time when the world is mired in conflicts, India will harness its G20 Presidency to forge consensus-based solutions to challenges like reviving global growth, stronger climate action and a robust global health architecture.
India now celebrates its remarkable progress in many fields. From record agricultural production to advancements in nuclear and space technology, from ensuring affordable healthcare to setting up world-class educational institutions, from Ayurveda to biotechnology, from establishing giant steel plants to becoming an IT power and having the third biggest start-up ecosystem in the world, India’s success has been phenomenal.
India played a pivotal role in formulating the United Nations Agenda 2030 and much of the country’s National Development Agenda is mirrored in the SDGs.
In a world fragmented by conflicts, the G20, which represents 85% of the global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population, will become more important than ever before. India, as G20 President, will seek to bolster the G20’s status as the premier global forum for cooperation on global economic issues. A fact to be remembered is that the G20 was born during the 2008 financial meltdown, which compelled the world to set up a new grouping comprising developed and emerging economies.
Promoting food security will be an important priority as the COVID-19 pandemic pushed millions into poverty. India focuses on fast-tracking Sustainable Development Goals and adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle. Promoting inclusive growth with a focus on inclusive finance will be a key priority.
Energy is an area of priority in India’s G20 Presidency. India supports the diversification of energy systems for ensuring a clean, affordable energy transition. India advocates support for developing countries in providing affordable, sustainable energy, affordable technology, technology cooperation and financing mitigation in the energy sector.
India also focuses on making digital architecture inclusive so that it can become a catalyst for socio-economic transformation. Digital transformation is the key to achieving scale in areas like transparency in governance.
Regarding climate change, at the global climate summit COP15 in Copenhagen in 2009, developed countries had committed to mobilising USD 100 billion per year by 2020 to help developing countries tackle climate change. But almost 14 years later, this target has only been partially met. Against this backdrop, fast-tracking delivery of climate finance will be a priority for India’s G20 Presidency. In India’s view, developing countries require substantial enhancement in climate finance from USD 100 billion per year to meet their goals, and rich countries need to lead the mobilisation of resources.
In conclusion, India’s first future priority will be to consolidate its capabilities so that it can stand up to Beijing’s designs.
India’s G20 Presidency will be aiming to move the world away from polarisation. Its own reality of being a democracy should guide it well in bringing together diverse stakeholders to act on global challenges.
SDGs are an integral part of India’s development agenda as epitomised in the ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ ethos. As Prime Minister Modi stated, “India’s G20 Presidency will promote a universal sense of oneness based on the theme One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
This is an inflection point for the global order and India. India is on the cusp of achieving something dramatic: not only as a top-tier economic power but also as a top-tier geopolitical player that can lead.
(Prof. (Dr) SA Kori is the Vice Chancellor of the Central University of Andhra Pradesh and a distinguished alumni of IIT, Kharagpur)
