G-20 diplomacy and a shifting world order

Source– The post is based on the article “G-20 diplomacy and a shifting world order” published in “The Hindu” on 26th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2 – Global groupings

News– Recently, India successfully conducted the G-20 meeting in Delhi.

What are some facts about the Delhi declaration agreed during the G20 summit in Delhi?

The New Delhi Declaration appears to encompass a wide range of topics that cater to various interests.

It covers issues such as condemning terrorism, addressing climate concerns, tripling renewable energy capacity, promoting sustainable development lifestyles, and reforming multilateral development banks.

It highlights India’s contributions, such as digital public infrastructure and the Unified Payments Interface.

The Declaration aligns with the prevailing sentiment within the G-20. It endorses Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

Regarding the Ukraine conflict, the declaration does not explicitly blame Russia. It seeks a resolution to the conflict. This sets the New Delhi Declaration apart from the Bali Declaration of November 2022, where Russia was condemned for its aggression in Ukraine.

Why should India not be over-optimistic about G-20 outcomes?

China’s reception of the Delhi Declaration is mixed. It underscores that the G-20’s primary purpose is economic cooperation. It is not a platform for addressing geopolitical and security issues.

China acknowledges the establishment of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor Plan. But it cautions against its potential use as a geopolitical tool.

Some world leaders have not fully embraced the Delhi G-20. The South Korean President cautioned about the current state of global affairs marked by geopolitical competition, rising inflation, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

China remains a dominant force in Asia, and India is a prominent target. India’s growing economic strength and its membership in the Quad demand careful handling.

How has the nature of the G-20 undergone a transformation in recent years?

Earlier during the 2008-09 economic crisis, G20 preferred to focus on global economic issues. It collaborated to prevent a global economic downturn. Now, it has shifted towards addressing global political conflicts with less emphasis on the global economic landscape.

A covert struggle is unfolding between two opposing blocs aiming to reshape the global balance of power. One is led by Western nations and the other by China and Russia,

The world is grappling with an “emerging world disorder,” marked by the resurgence of two antagonistic blocs.

The stalemate in the Ukraine conflict has prompted the U.S. to bolster and expand NATO under its leadership. This development raises the prospect of a U.S.-equipped “territorial force” emerging in Ukraine.

Beyond Europe, several non-NATO allies are being courted to join the U.S.-led alliance aimed at countering “authoritarianism,” represented by Russia and China.

Japan and South Korea have already aligned with the Western alliance, and Australia has become a significant partner in the U.S.-led alliance in the Southern Hemisphere.

Russia and China are deepening their “strategic alignment.” Countries like North Korea are strengthening their ties with this bloc.

China is leveraging its presence in the Pacific Ocean to openly challenge U.S. naval dominance in the region.

Russia and Turkey have also strengthened their relationship. Russia is once again seeking to expand its influence in Africa.

How is the emerging world order impacting international politics?

The increasing number of new alliances will undermine the concept of non-alignment significantly. It is becoming challenging for nations to maintain true non-alignment. Even groupings like BRICS are finding it difficult to sustain their neutral stance.

The proliferation of relationships and the complex web of security agreements have severely restricted the scope for non-alignment.

As rival blocs with conflicting visions of the international order grow stronger, the world faces an uncertain and gloomy future.