PM Modi strikes the right chord by pitching for ‘mindset shift’

Prime Minister Narendra Modi seems to be pretty determined to make India’s G20 Presidency memorable by doing something different. It is said that India’s success as G20 president will be defined by how New Delhi manages to address the divergent views of the international community on various contentious issues. Moreover, all eyes will also be on India to see what kind of new ideas it brings up while chairing the summit of the elite and influential group.
On both counts, PM Modi has firmly, unequivocally and elaborately put across his ideas in a write-up that appeared in the media, coinciding with India assuming the G20 presidency today (1 December). In the article, PM Modi gave a clear picture of India’s comprehensive plan to make the G20 a significant forum where out-of-the-box ideas and thinking would make the deliberations more meaningful and result-oriented in terms of addressing the various issues and problems facing the world. There is no denying that in order to address the issues of complex nature, it is mandatory to address the divergent views on the contentious issues. The G20’s upcoming summit and meetings would definitely see the efforts on the part of the Indian premier to ensure that a picture of global unity on various issues emerges, a phenomenon that never happened in the past. But the global community needs to change its mindset for all such objectives to be achieved. That is what PM Modi has hinted at as well while pitching for a mindset shift. He has said that “India can catalyse a fundamental mindset shift to benefit humanity as a whole”. It is important to quote exact words from PM Modi’s article in this context. “As India assumes this important mantle, I ask myself—can the G20 go further still? Can we catalyse a fundamental mindset shift, to benefit humanity as a whole? I believe we can,” PM Modi wrote. His message to the world is clear that mindset shift will be ultimately benefiting humanity at large, which has ostensibly been the concern of the international community as well amid all the crises that the world is facing. PM Modi further comes up with what outlines the idea that India proposes to execute during the presidency of G20. “Gone is the time to remain trapped in the same old zero-sum mindset, which has led to both scarcity and conflict,” PM Modi said, adding that India’s G20 presidency will work to promote a universal sense of one-ness.” This paragraph from the PM’s article suggests how India under his guidance will be paving the way for global unity for the benefit of humanity and people who are suffering in different corners of the world due to conflict, with Ukraine being one of the examples. In PM’s own words, “India will work to further global good through an inclusive, action-oriented and decisive agenda.” Can anyone dispute the fact that as the war in Ukraine continues, India is in a unique position in terms of its credibility and access to both Russia and Ukraine? PM Modi’s efforts and balanced diplomacy to ensure end of war have been appreciated by the entire world including the US which was leading the west bloc to put pressure on New Delhi to criticise Moscow openly for the military operation against Kyiv. That India would continue to push for the diplomatic solution for cessation of violence in a similar determined way while leading the G-20 group is beyond doubt. That has been made clear by PM Modi when he said that India’s G20 presidency will “work to promote a universal sense of one-ness”. PM Modi’s article has signalled that New Delhi will make full use of this opportunity and focus on global good and world welfare. Many commentators are of the view that the G20 role has given India a much-needed opportunity to confirm the perception about its rise as a new global power. The perception has always been that New Delhi can potentially bridge the emerging East-West conflict. This is something Prime Minister himself has emphasised. At the same time, suggesting innovative ideas to counter terrorism would also be something that the international community would keep an eye on. PM Modi has signalled on many occasions that India will attempt to bring terrorism back on G20 agenda. Ways to enhance international cooperation and a robust system to fight terror financing and economic crime, which is the need of the hour, will be suggested by India.
T. BRAJESH