G20 UNDER THE PRESIDENCY OF INDIA

India’s presidency of G20 has elevated the nation’s stature on the global level. Noting that this
presidency had been ‘inclusive, ambitious and people centric’, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar
expressed his appreciation for the vision of the leadership that had truly made it ‘People’s G20’, with
its reach extending across all States and Union Territories in India. In December 2022 , India took the
responsibility to host the G20 summit which held in third quarter of 2023 i.e. September in New Delhi
under the chairmanship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

G20 is an intergovernmental forum that came into existence in 1999 which comprises 19 sovereign
countries , European Union and African Union (AU became the permanent member G20 in 2023
summit). The 19 countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey,
the United Kingdom and the United States. This influential grouping represents 85% OF global GDP,
over 75% of global trade and almost 2/3rd of world’s population. The presidency of G20 is conducted
on a rotational basis and India took this responsibility for the year 2023. The G20 majorly works on
three tracks which is the Financial tracks, Sherpa tracks and Engagement group. Financial track is led
by the Finance Minister and Central Bank Governors of G20 countries and the Sherpa track is headed
by the personal emissaries of heads of member states of G20.

The theme of G20 summit 2023 is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ which means ‘One World, One Family,
One Future’ focusing upon the collective efforts of the world to address the global issues such as
economy, education, health, environment, gender equality, multilateral trading and mutual
cooperation. External Affairs Minister Dr. Jaishankar said that the summit focused on the priorities
and key concerns of developing nations and amplified the voice of the Global South and raised
ambition in areas like climate actions and finances, energy transitions, SDG implementation and
technological transformation. The Indian presidency of G20 is extraordinary as activities and
meetings were not only confined to higher echelons of government but it has an extensive
participation of people, G20 of Jan Bhagidari where the States and Union Territories actively
participated. Dr Jaishankar said India’s presidency turned an elite diplomatic event into a people’s
event, it's been a pan national celebration so the economic benefits are unfolding nationwide. PM
Narendra Modi was very optimistic about the G20 agenda under the presidency of India which is
about having a human centric approach to look at globalisation with the concerns of Global South
including the common issues of the world like climate change, debt restructuring and a strategy for
regulation of cryptocurrencies. G20 summit has been inclusive as Harsh Vardhan Shringla stated that
India’s G20 presidency has had the highest in person participation ever as more than 12000 delegates
from 111 nationalities have attended G20 meetings, it is intended to hold 200 G20 related meetings in
around 60 cities of India, the widest geographical spread in any G20 presidency.

The main event of G20 summit of 2023 held on 9th and 10th September 2023 where the heads of
states of all member countries marked their presence in New Delhi except the President of China and
Russia, representatives of invited states also came and joined the meeting. It symbolises oneness , the
promotion of a universal sense of being one and working together for development. It is not only for
the sovereign nation state but India also invited the international organisation UN, IMF, World Bank,
WTO, ILO, FSB, OECD, AU Chair, ASEAN Chair, ADB. The two day event successfully held which
promoted multilateralism in a fragmented world and courting the countries that may have been
marginalised. Inclusion of the African Union is one of the major achievements and also the step
towards strengthening the Global South. The New Delhi Leader’s Declaration which has a huge
narrative and huge footprint adopted with a 100% consensus on the opening day summit. The
declaration emphasises strong, sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth, the 83 paragraphs of
declaration are attempting to hammer out a positive outcome, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitav Kant
regarded the declaration as historic and path breaking which has been accepted on all developmental
and geopolitical issues with a 100% consensus, Special reference about Ukraine crisis, it mentioned
that state must refrain from threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the sovereignty
or political independence of a state. The promotion of economic development has been fostered by
integration between Asia, the Arabian Gulf and Europe as a Memorandum of Understanding has been
signed in between India, US, Saudi Arabia, European union, UAE, France, Germany and Italy to
establish India- Middle East- Europe Economic corridor (IMEC).

The summit concluded in two days after PM Modi symbolically handed over G20 presidency to
Brazilian President Lula, However India has presidency until November 30, 2023 , recently virtual
G20 summit also held in which PM Modi aimed to review developments since the first summit
concluded in September and specially about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and to ensure it does not
expand. The G20 presidency is India’s diplomatic milestone which served as a platform to amplify
global issues especially focused over the Global South concerns. A successful summit held under the
presidency of India demonstrating Indian contemporary modern advancement as well as of our
culture, traditions and heritage.