G20 Summit Cements India’s Global Appeal

NewsAnalytics Bureau

(This article has also been featured by Raksha Anirveda magazine.)

a 4 mins read.

Indian Presidency

India assumed the G20 presidency from Indonesia during the last Bali summit in 2022. It is undoubtedly among the world’s topmost global organisation. Bringing in countries driving the global agenda together. G20 represented highest gross value in power, economy, technology and aspirations. G20 was looked upon not only as a better representation of global order than G8 (or later G7 with expulsion of Russia) but also it’s position as the only other organisation which arguably voices and share concerns similar to growth agenda of UN. It is a perfect balance between traditional and major emerging growth centres of the world.

The year on efforts to harness the responsibilities of G20 presidency saw India host more than 100 meetings. All these interactions were spread across the country keeping in with desire of making the event a grand representation of Indian diversity. The momentum of hope that it generated was unmatched with any previous such example. The G20 was a reflection of movers and shakers of global order and indeed an exceptional opportunity for the country.

The summit was not only graced by heads of states of all members barring that of Russia and China. The attendance list has impressive marquee names like President Joe Biden, UN secretary general, EU chief, Chair of the African Union and the President of World Bank. In all more than 30 head of states arrived in Delhi for the summit. India showcased how it wants to take every voice, every region and every challenges collectively together.

Key Takeaways

The highlights were numerous with many firsts, but to comprehend the real achievements of Delhi Summit it can be understood in three different dimensions – Global, Regional and National. Global achievements have a rather long list but eye-catching ones have been – International Biofuels Alliance; Public Digital Infrastructure; India-Middle East-Europe Transport Corridor Pact; Inclusion of African Union in G20; Denouncement of Terrorism and a Green Development Pact. India was focussed with outcomes addressing a larger regional aspirations too, it invited it’s neighbour’s, leaders from Global south and Latin American Countries as also from Africa.

Each of them representing a key region where India has harnessed very close relations and is focussing to augment them to next level. India’s representation of Global South through the forum of G20 was extremely well orchestrated. The geopolitics behind all this is also unmissable, India maintained a subtle counter to China’s push for hijacking the agenda of these developing regions of Africa, Latin America and the larger Global South.

The national level achievements also appeared extremely valuable. Successfully hosting this mega event showcased India’s readiness for such global affairs. India was surprisingly successful to iron out a joint declaration for the summit. This very complicated issue which has haunted almost all multination forums due to Ukraine conflict was believed to be too thorny to be smoothened. This highlighted two very impressive aspects; first, world is ‘listening’ to India; and second, everyone appeared accommodative to ensure India’s request for focussing on matters of Global Good gets realised. It’s a very big development, it directly points to standing of a country among the comity of nations.

It was for India’s well calculated approach which allowed it to plan for tangible outcomes towards the end of it’s G20 Presidency. If the year on events unfolded in a clock work precision and India could seamlessly address pointed security threats; it speaks volumes about many behind the scene contributors while few faces represented them on screen.

Chinese Anxieties

The G20 summit caught unwarranted attention with sudden announcement of absence of Russian & Chinese heads of state. While India ‘understood’ President Putin’s reluctance, it ensured diplomatic gesture was duly extended. Indian PM made it a point to speak to the Russian President about ongoing preparations for the summit, still holding the thoughts that he may concur to visit Delhi after declining to travel to Johannesburg a few days back.

Analysts feel that President Putin’s decision for not attending in person had nothing to do with the issue of International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him. Since, India has not ratified the Rome Statue it is not under any legal obligation to respond to ICC warrants. It became evident that President Putin had other major domestic concerns which held him back.

On the contrary, Chinese decision to be represented by it’s second rung leader were indicative of it’s global anxieties. Each step that China adopted was very carefully measured and made for an interesting assessment. The announcement of Xi’s absence just days before the summit was highly dramatic. China was closely observing the ‘level’ of interaction with Indian leadership during just concluded BRICS summit in South Africa. It hoped for a breakthrough on it’s own terms, but appeared upset to find Indian side standing equally firm.

Given the scenario, Xi would have probably felt himself out of place surrounded by Indian pomp and show. It would also be very hard to absorb successful conduct of the summit by India and extend customary compliments among heads of states to the host nation. The release of disputed map by China days before the summit were all too messed up for Xi to find a comfortable footing in Delhi.

Some rough security scenarios during the summit were also put forth as red flag for Xi’s travel. The summit no doubt carried high security threat, just to run down on Delhi. However, the concerning issue is, were Chinese already knew something more to prevent Xi’s presence in person? Some of the theories do indicate of such a possibility. The secretive travel by Chinese Premier Mr Li Qiang by a chartered flight instead of the usual ‘special aircraft’ and the last minute announcement of his arrival, only adds fodder to such speculations.

India’s Push For Inclusiveness

India must be complemented as it pushed for inclusiveness, a world view which India firmly believes in. It not only stood as voice for Global South, it also carried it’s neighbours as it wanted the fruits of India’s standing be reaped by the whole region. India on it’s part skilfully ensured that the language for Delhi Declaration takes into account likely Russian sensitivity. Not surprising that even the Russian envoy expressed disbelief at the quick adoption of the joint declaration.

Craving for something and achieving the same are two very distinct realities; one can be plain day dreaming, while the other is a robust home truth. India has navigated multiple difficulties with great conviction, including some undesirable ones. It won’t be an overstatement, that everyone was looking to Delhi summit with huge anticipation, whether well-wishers or not. The amalgamation of great fanfare, hospitality, quantifiable achievements are all highly admirable, but the work ahead remains equally dynamic. The real success would be to firmly materialise the hope and expectations India has generated through the Delhi summit!