India’s G20 presidency has been a landmark- The voice of emerging powers must be heard

Source: The post is based on the article “Manjeet Kripalani writes: India’s G20 presidency has been a landmark- The voice of emerging powers must be heard. India’s G20 presidency is the first step on that course” published in “The Indian express” on 9th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- International relation- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

News: The article discusses India’s role in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, highlighting its achievements as the G20 President. It underscores India’s leadership in health and digital inclusion. The article also touches on global challenges, the G7’s resistance to change, and emerging powers seeking greater influence in global decision-making.

How has India’s role as G20 President impacted the global stage?

Pandemic Leadership: India emphasized pandemic preparedness during its G20 presidency, becoming a model for other nations after effectively managing the Covid-19 crisis.

Digital Influence: India’s push for digital public infrastructure, such as the Unified Payments Interface, has expanded to nearly two dozen countries, setting a global trend.

Geopolitical Balance: Amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict, India maintained neutrality, effectively balancing relations with major global players like Russia and the U.S.

Democratizing G20: India’s presidency democratized the G20 process, emphasizing inclusivity and bringing the discussions closer to its citizens by hosting in different cities.

Promotion of Multilateral Cooperation: With initiatives like involving the African Union in the G20, India is fostering broader global collaborations.

What are the main G20 challenges?

Russia-Ukraine War: The conflict has created divisions among G20 members, with countries forced to pick sides or maintain neutrality.

Differences between G7 and G20: The G7, a subgroup within the G20, often pulls in a different direction on key issues. For instance, while the G7 might have a unified stance, other G20 members seek equitable decisions on debt and climate commitments.

Digital Inclusion: India’s initiative of digital public infrastructure like the Unified Payments Interface faces resistance, especially from U.S. private entities and Chinese state companies.

Financial Reforms: The G20 faces challenges in reforming the multilateral financial architecture, with differences in opinions among its members.

Energy and Climate Commitments: While the need for action on climate change is unanimous, the methods and commitments vary among members.

What recent global changes impact the G20’s direction?

Geopolitical Tensions: The absence of China and Russia from the G20 summit highlights underlying global tensions.

BRICS Expansion: The growth of the BRICS nations is reshaping global dynamics.

India’s Lunar Landing: This achievement highlights the rising technological and scientific capabilities of emerging nations.

Ukraine Conflict’s Economic Impact: The war has caused distortions in food and energy markets, affecting global trade and economics.

What’s the future of G20?

New Presidencies: After India, Brazil and South Africa will lead the G20, emphasizing health, digital inclusion, and financial reforms.

IBSA Collaboration: The India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) grouping will enhance G20’s focus on health, debt relief, and climate goals.

African Union Inclusion: India’s proposal to include the African Union in the G20 is expected to be accepted, diversifying the group’s representation.

Shift Towards Global South: G20 is likely to increase its association with the Global South, which has historically been excluded from major global processes.

Dialogue Platform: Despite disagreements, the G20 will remain a key forum for dialogue and cooperation, adapting to a world in transition.