Written by Lakshmi Kotha
Research Intern,
Jindal Centre for the Global South,
O.P. Jindal Global University, India
India’s G-20 leadership was wholly reflected in the summit’s theme, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” drawn from a Sanskrit text, the Maha Upanishad. It can be inferred from the theme that there was a highlight of life (human, animal, plant, and microorganisms) instead of mere targeted-oriented discussions by the group of countries. India hosted the historic leadership across 60 cities in 28 states and 8 union territories and over 200 meetings. It is remarkable for a diverse and culturally rich country like India to emphasise interconnectedness and decentralisation by involving more than a crore of participants in organising all-year-round meetings. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a radio program, Mann Ki Baat mentioned this Presidency as ‘People’s Presidency.’ It can be seen in the execution part of the summit as the meetings percolated to every state of India rather than being limited to the country’s capital. Several instances resurface how India’s efforts made Global North and Global South more inclusive.
The G-20 summit organised on the 9th and 10th of September 2023 surfaced India’s efforts to reduce the divide between the Global North and the Global South. PM Modi’s speech on the summed-up targets and success of the meetings of the whole year was deftly put out by revolving around each theme word across three sessions, respectively. PM Modi reiterated the complementary support required for the Global South countries in each target and initiative.
The decisions and initiatives related to development and climate can be considered an integral part of the changing dynamics of climate and the growth of economies. The Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) launched by Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius, and UAE underlines sustainable energy transitions in tune with the benefits of a circular economy. This includes core, periphery, and semi-periphery countries striving for a green future. A Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre was established to provide clean and green hydrogen for all. Moreover, Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LIFE), ‘climate-smart agriculture’ by promoting millets for nutritional security, helped India disseminate the stance of these initiatives for the growth of well-being, regardless of geopolitical polarisation and socio-economic inequality. The advancements in technology are far-fetched in this 21st century. However, even post-Covid, many individuals worldwide lack digital identity and India’s efforts were put forth through the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model. PM Modi says, “Now, through the G20, we will help developing countries adapt, build, and scale DPI to unlock the power of inclusive growth.” Even in this instance, India intended to assist developing countries by removing the digital void and examples like the Aadhar card and United Payments Interface (UPI). This fact informs the world that technology is the best alternative to aid and seep every country by eliminating socio-economic divisions. Coming to one of the priorities of G-20, focused on women, it was aptly communicated that there is a need for a shift of the narrative from the development of women to women-led development.
Under ‘One Earth,’ the light was on the growth of the overall human being, nevertheless considering past or current divides of the political systems. Global South countries were pleased with the Green Development Pact as it led to the involvement and commitment of the developed countries of 100 billion dollars for climate finance. Here is one more feather in the cap of India’s G-20 leadership by indirectly reducing the divide gap. With the success of Chandrayaan-3, India took the initiative to launch the ‘G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation.’ India mentioned that the climate and weather data obtained from this will be shared with all the countries, especially the countries of the Global South. The unavoidable debt crisis also grapples many nations worldwide and is a constant worry for developing nations. The primary outcome of the G20 was the reform of Multilateral Development Banks, and in the G20 leaders’ declaration statement, all the major suggestions were presented. “Our view was that the Global South, developing countries and emerging markets, which has been a key component of India’s (G20) presidency, must be able to get long-term financing and must be able to use new instruments for financing to drive both SDGs (sustainable development goals) and climate finance,” India’s G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant said.
‘One Family,’ incorporating this word in the theme, is intelligible. The transformation of ideologies from ‘I’ to ‘We’ and from ‘Me’ to ‘Us’ was stressed in this and throughout the meetings and initiatives. The push to a “Global Skill Mapping,” “Holistic Health and Wellness” system and global supply chain initiatives accentuated the benefits to the global family and pursuit to assist the Global South. In addition, the proposals of India for the top sports leagues in the world to invest 5% of their earnings for women into sports infrastructure, especially in the countries of the Global South, and the ‘G20 Talent Visa’ for the betterment of pooling talent and all economies was respectable.
Through the ‘One Future’ aspect, the highlight was on a perspective change from GDP-centric GDP-centric (Gross Domestic Product) goals to human-centric goals. Here, international cooperation in cyber security and human-centric AI- governance was brought to the fore. Besides, the alignment of global systems with contemporary changes was brought to the fore (for example, the United Nations of the Security Council has had the same permanent members since its foundation). Thus, India illuminates how regional forums have sprouted with relevance to the realities and resurfaced the concept of ‘multilateralism’ instead of a multipolar world. Over and above, under India’s leadership, substantial success was counted by the world with the inclusion of the ‘African Union’ as a permanent member of the G20. It signifies both South-South Cooperation and reducing the Global North and the Global South divide by the co-existence of both the developed and developing countries as permanent members.
It is imperative to mention India’s initiative to host a special virtual Summit, the Voice of Global South Summit, under the theme ‘Unity of voice, Unity of purpose.’ The summit revolved around 4Rs- ‘Respond, Recognise, Respect, and Reform.’ This summit’s intriguing and smart move is that India invited around 120 nations not part of the G20 forum to discuss, prioritize, and share their perspectives on the challenges. It was exclusive for the Global South countries to present it on a platform never proposed. The G20 troika consisting of Indonesia, India, and Brazil, the first-time leaderships of the developing and emerging economies, is also an added advantage to the world and India as Brazil is also part of the Global South.
The unparalleled success of all 83 parts of the G20 New Delhi Declaration was passed unanimously with a 100 per cent consensus. Integration, cohesion, and inclusivity were featured throughout India’s leadership. From invitee nations to the African Union inclusion and from soil to space aspects, India’s efforts can indeed be seen to unite as one family and reduce the gap between the Global North and the Global South. Thus, it is worth saying the world’s bright spot to be called ‘Incredible India.’
References
Bfsi, E. (2023, September 9). Banking on big push to multilateral development bank reforms: G20 negotiators. ETBFSI.com. https://bfsi.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/banking/banking-on-big-push-to-multilateral-development-bank-reforms-g20-negotiators/103523196
Business Today Bureau. (2023, September 21). India-Canada rift: Industry ready to support India’s stance but seeks alternatives. Business Today. https://www.businesstoday.in/latest/in-focus/story/india-canada-rift-industry-ready-to-support-indias-stance-but-seeks-alternatives-399256-2023-09-21
Canada, G. A. (2023, May 10). Joint Statement issued at conclusion of the 6th Canada-India Ministerial Dialogue on Trade & Investment. GAC. https://www.international.gc.ca/country_news-pays_nouvelles/2023-05-10-india-inde.aspx?lang=eng
Contributors, E. (2022, November 21). View: India can lead G20 as a movement for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. The Economic Times. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/view-india-can-lead-g20-as-a-movement-for-vasudhaiva-kutumbakam/articleshow/95656659.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
G20: Multilateral development banks need governance reforms in addition to capital adequacy. (2023, September 12). Moneycontrol. https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/opinion/g20-multilateral-development-banks-need-governance-reforms-in-addition-to-capital-adequacy-11355871.html
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author (s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Jindal Centre for the Global South or its members.
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