Whether we use the terms “Bharat” and “India” interchangeably, the fact remains that our country is proudly hosting the 18th meeting of the G20 group on 9-10 September in New Delhi. The G20 is an inter-governmental forum of 19 countries and the European Union, mainly to focus on significant issues pertaining to the global economy, financial stability, environment and climate protection, sustainable development, conservation of natural resources, and imparting education skill development with equality amongst all the countries. G20 has the unique distinction of encompassing 80% of the gross world product and almost 70% of international trade, more than two-thirds of the global population, and the world’s land area.
This forum was founded in 1999 and has been convened every year and participated by the heads of government, finance ministers, foreign ministers, and other stakeholders from all the countries. International financial organizations like the IMF and World Bank remain permanent invitees to the forum. Every year, a few countries are chosen as special invitees as decided by the group and especially by the host country. Delhi is the 18th Summit of heads of the states of G20 countries. In all, 19 countries and the European Union have been grouped into five groups and the chair of the Presidency rotates among all these groups. The host country remains President for one year from the first of December to 30 November of next year.
Group one consists of Australia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Group 2 consists of Bharat, Russia, South Africa, and Turkey. Group 3 has Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. Group 4 has the most developed countries like France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, whereas Group 5 predominantly has Asian countries like China, Indonesia, Japan, and South Korea. In addition to the permanent members and invitees, Bangladesh, Singapore, the Netherlands, Mauritius, Oman, Nigeria, Spain, Rwanda, UAE, Comoros, and Egypt are attending G20 as special invitees. However, the President of Russia and the Chinese Premier will not be attending the Delhi summit, though both Russia and China will be represented by senior officials and leaders of respective countries.
India received the Presidency from Indonesia in 2022 and will be handing over this chair to Brazil. To ensure continuity in functioning, the presidency is supported by a troika of the current, immediate past, and next host countries. Bharat will continue to support Brazil in discharging its duty as president of G20. To date, G20 doesn’t have any permanent Secretariat or staff; every time, the incumbent state establishes its temporary Secretariat for the duration of its term. Viewing the growth of G20 and its continuous engagement in the crucial affairs of the world economy, health, and other issues, it is high time to establish a permanent secretariat of G20 and undoubtedly India is the most appropriate country for this particular job being widely accepted as an undisputed neutral country among all the members of G20 group.
India has hosted 95 group discussion meetings of G20 countries on issues related to finance, banking, trade, investment, cultural activities, energy, digital economy, women’s empowerment, anti-corruption, sustainability of the environment, and climate. The Sherpa group is a working group for the development of infrastructure, and education, trade, tourism from December 2022 till date. The most significant among all these meetings remained the third tourism working group meeting held between 24 and 26 May at Srinagar, Kashmir, which has directly influenced the recognition of Indian status as well as peace, tranquility and development in the region of Jammu and Kashmir which should be considered as a great diplomatic win for our country. The G20 pesidency to Bharat and to host 18 meetings of G20 indeed recognized Bharat as a global leader uniformly claimed by both East and West blocks. When Bharat took over the Presidency of G20 on 1 December 2022, the world was facing great challenges to boost the economy and stabilize both the financial and diplomatic scenario, especially in the post-Covid-19 era, under the growing friction due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict and US-China friction that dominated the G20 summit in Bali.
India has been highly successful in developing an effective equilibrium among all the stakeholders of the global power system in different forums, including the United Nations, SCO, BRICS, G8, ASEAN, as well as the Quad. Prime Minister Modi has emerged as an undisputed global leader with a futuristic vision to take all global leaders on board.
The success of Bharat in handling the Covid-19 pandemic infused the growth engine into the economy and the extended successful control of inflation boosting GDP, make in India for the world. Over and above, the phenomenal success of ISRO in launching space missions and achieving the unique feat of landing on the south pole of the moon has truly demonstrated the strength of Bharat and its democracy even during periods of crisis where the entire world was facing a severe crisis of recession.
India’s military power has been very effective to handle the aggression of China on LAC and to contain and curb Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. India has been playing its effective role and position in the Indo-Pacific region with remarkable achievements. The logo and theme of G20 is a true reflection of Indian culture, traditions and ethos. The theme “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam—”One Earth, One Family, One future”—is the need of the hour to save earth, water and energy resources with equal responsibility and the right to share this among all countries and among all living beings, including humans, animals and plants, in the wider sense. The logo of G20 is truly inspired by vibrant colours of national flag of Bharat, saffron white and green and blue of Chakra along with the national flower Lotus and planet Earth is the true symbol of growth and eco-friendly approach to the life.
The burning topic during Bharat’s Presidency of G20 will converge on economy and financial issues that concern developing nations, including multilateral institutions reforms in international debt architecture, regulations on crypto currency and the impact of uncertainty in the food and energy security sector across the globe. Bharat needs to focus on the areas of inclusive, equitable, relevant and quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Though the G20 mainly focuses on non-military and strategic issues, the presence of the strongest and influencing countries, the G20 is gradually gaining its indirect involvement in the field of international security and strategies also. The sharing and protection of natural resources on the earth sea as well as judicious allocation and use of space assets are equally important and directly linked with the interest of all G20 members. The presence of China, Russia and US has definitely contended the Ukraine-Russia conflict and US-China friction over Taiwan and South China security issues to escalate beyond manageable limits. The growing status of India in the all the spheres of growth and development, including the fastest growing world economy, space, cyber and infrastructure development, has drawn all eyes towards India as a future balancing and economy power in Asia. Bharat has emerged as a reliable and trustworthy partner in the spheres of infrastructure development, banking and trades, energy, cyber securities and space strategies the world over, especially for the groups of ASEAN, Quad, and in the region of Indian ocean and Middle East. Over and above, the recession and down trend in Chinese economy and industrial growth, its controversial handling of Covid-19 pandemic crisis, aggressive Belt and Road initiative has definitely questioned sustainability and reliability of China as a world super power in all the spheres that has severely influenced the principle of equality and mutual respect among all the countries. As such, the gathering several world leaders opens up ample opportunities among all to have bilateral dialogues on the sidelines of the summit. Hence, Bharat is well poised to showcase its strength and might to the world.
Major General J.K.S. Parihar, Sena Medal, Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal (Retd.), is former Additional Director General, AFMS, and an expert on defence and international strategic affairs.