The ‘mantras’ that powered success at the G-20 summit

Source: The post is based on the article “The ‘mantras’ that powered success at the G-20 summit” published in “The Hindu” on 20th September 2023.

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

News: The article talks about India’s role during its G-20 presidency, highlighting how it promoted multilateralism and consensus-building among member countries. It focused on issues like the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing India’s approach to a multipolar world, support for the Global South, and its stance as a mediator in global affairs.

How did India promote multilateralism at the G-20?

Consensus on NDLD: Despite initial disagreements on language and topics like Ukraine, all G-20 members agreed on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) under India’s leadership.

Bilateral Engagements: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral meetings with various G-20 members, including visits to countries like Japan, Australia, the US, and others, fostering closer ties and ensuring support.

Addressing Global Politics: By ensuring smoother discussions and consensus in the absence of divisive figures like the Russian and Chinese Presidents, India prioritized unity.

Western Bloc Compromises: The western countries, for the sake of consensus and the importance of the G-20, agreed to remove direct references to Russia concerning the Ukraine war.

Promotion of Global South: India actively championed the voice and significance of the Global South in global decisions, emphasizing its relevance in global forums.

Middle Path Approach: By not taking hard stances or choosing sides, India’s approach of following a “middle path” on global issues was evident, helping bridge differences between member countries.

How does India’s middle-path approach benefit global relations?

Multipolar Advocacy: India promotes a multipolar world, standing distinct from the U.S.’s unipolar vision and China’s bipolar ambition.

U.S. Global Role: Post-Cold War, the U.S. tried establishing a unipolar world. However, during the Trump era (2017-2021), its potential decline was evident as it exited several multilateral agreements like the Paris Accord.

China’s Ascendancy: China, marking the 10th anniversary of its Belt and Road Initiative, spent over a trillion dollars on infrastructure in about 90 countries, highlighting its growing influence.

China’s Controversies: China’s rise also raised concerns due to actions during the COVID-19 pandemic, predatory financing in smaller countries, and territorial aggressions, including with India.

Global South’s Significance: The Global South, comprising over 125 countries, is gaining a louder voice on global issues, resetting priorities on topics like climate change and health.