Successfully wrapping up bilateral visit to Vietnam, Prime
Minister Modi attended the G-20 Summit at Hangzhou, China participated by
leaders who represent 85% of the World economy. The official theme of the meet
“Towards an innovative, invigorated, interconnected and inclusive world
economy” is in line with reports of global economic slowdown. The meet was
aimed at providing solutions for World economy reeling under the tremors of
Brexit and immigration hassles. The two-day meet held at the picturesque West
Lake view venue in Zhejiang province discussed five main themes- fight against
tax evasion by seeking the help of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development (OECD) to black list tax havens; promote international trade
and investments and curtail protectionism; fiscal stimulus and innovation to
boost economic growth; fighting populist measures against globalization and
strengthen support for refugees.
In his opening remarks at G-20, Modi reminded that it is time
to move beyond empty talks and urged nations to collectively work towards an
action-oriented agenda for evolving an effective global financial and economic
agenda. At the meet, leaders commended Modi’s leadership for laying out ground
for implementation of GST and for steering India towards rapid growth.
Reiterating his domestic policy Modi spoke about his twin policies of Zero
tolerance towards corruption and black money. With major economies bracing the
prospects of stagnant growth, India and China were looked upon as beacons of
economic growth and development. Modi’s vision found some convergence with
President Xi’s message who appreciated India’s initiative on energy crises and
called for shunning empty talks. Intensifying his campaign on international
cooperation on counter-terrorism, Modi urged for greater collaboration in the
BRICS outreach meeting along the sidelines of the G-20 summit.
Besides, making a fervent pitch for combatting the menace of
terrorism and drumming up support for the Comprehensive Convention on
International Terrorism (CCIT), Modi held bilateral talks with President Xi
ahead of the G-20 summit and discussed about the China Pakistan Economic
Corridor (CPEC), listing of Pakistan’s terrorist organizations and revival of talks
on India’s NSG membership. While China expressed its discomfiture over the
Logistics Exchange Agreement signed with the US. Modi held a series of
bilateral talks with various leaders along the sidelines of the G-20 summit. In
his bilateral talks with Australian counterpart Malcom Turnbull, Modi spoke about
the need for “identifying and targeting suppliers, exporters and financiers of
terrorism”. Modi met British Prime Minister Theresa May and asserted that UK
would continue to remain as an important partner for India even after Brexit
and sought support for strengthening of partnership. Modi held discussions with
Saudi Arabia deputy crown prince Mohammad bin Salman regarding strengthening of
cooperation in energy, maritime and infrastructure sector. Modi in his
bilateral talks with France President Francois Hollande raised the issue of
confidential data leakage on the Indian Scorpene class submarines being built
at Mumbai in collaboration with the French defence company DCNS. With President
Reccep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey Modi discussed about India’s NSG membership
while Turkey raised concerns over presence of Fethullah Gullen’s supporters in
India. Modi thanked Argentina President Mauricio Macri for supporting India’s
bid for NSG membership.
On the concluding day of the meet, with President Obama seated
on one side and President Xi Jinping on the other, Prime Minister Modi made
scathing remarks that “One single nation
in South Asia is spreading out agents of terror in countries of our region”
and added “that there are some nations
that use it as state policy”. It is amply clear that Modi is referring to
the regional adversary Pakistan and the reference to Pakistan is apparent. Giving
a clarion call to nations to fight the scourge of terror, Modi exhorted that
nations who support and sponsor terrorism must be isolated and sanctioned, not
rewarded. In a hard-hitting intervention Modi said “India has zero tolerance for terrorism because anything less than that
is not enough. For us a terrorist is a terrorist”. Of late Pakistani bred
militants, emboldened by state patronage have ruthlessly unleashed a reign of
fomenting terror in the Kashmir Valley. Blatant threats of disrupting peaceful
and political resolution for Kashmiri conflict issued by UN-designated
militants stands testimony to Pakistan’s nefarious agenda. Brazen audacity of
terror outfits to stall India’s peace initiatives had incontrovertibly irked
New Delhi. Modi’s gutsy reference to Pakistan on the second highest platform
next to UN thus assumes greater significance.
UN General Assembly sessions are scheduled to begin from Sept
13th. Despite deteriorating domestic law and order situation, Pakistan
embarked on treacherous plan of willful denigration of Indian stature and
internationalization of Kashmir issue by sending 21 legislators to various
countries. Modi’s master stroke days ahead of Pakistan’s run up to diplomatic
onslaught at UN has rendered Islamabad’s clandestine efforts futile. Modi minced
no words and urged World leaders to isolate and impose sanctions on Pakistan. Through
indirect digs and veiled references during his bilateral visits, Modi appraised
the World, of terror carnage perpetrated by Pakistan. With Pakistan escalating
the cross-border terror campaign, Modi spared no efforts in calling the spade a
spade. Besides, firmly charting out the agenda for the upcoming BRICS meet at
Goa in October, he effectively rallied for international support in fighting
the scourge of terrorism. Modi’s campaign at the G-20 summit has been a
resounding success. Modi’s high-voltage diplomatic outreach along the margins
of G-20 summit is exemplary.
The core dimension of Hangzhou G-20 summit is to explore
concrete and measurable solutions for global economic slowdown. G-20 nations
which are already miffed by China’s overt militarization and aggressive
belligerence are disconcerted by China’s protectionist approach towards foreign
investments in core sectors. Festering tensions in key areas of investment has
raised eyebrows about China’s intentions. Burgeoning investment heft by Chinese
state -owned companies in key areas of economy in foreign countries is now
raising concerns about national security. Growing resentment towards Chinese
investment can be reflected in Australia’s decision to stop Chinese-bidders
from buying stakes in biggest power grid of $7.63 billion and U.K’s review of $24
billion Chinese-funded Hinkley Point nuclear plant. Recently there has been an
unprecedented political backlash towards Chinese investments and inquisitions.
Even US and Germany have expressed concerns with Chinese investments for “taking away the competitive edge of its
globally leading national companies” (1). Frameworks like WTO help in
resolving disputes regarding dumping or protection unfortunately there are no
dispute redressal frameworks for protectionist walls. Countries looked forward
for the G-20 summit to sort out investment related issues. But China instead of
promising concrete action, capitalized the opportunity completely to promote
its economic policy “One Belt One Road” (OBOR) initiative and multilateral
institution, Asian Infrastructure Investment (AIIB) as forerunners of the theme
of interconnectivity and inclusivity. By and large China avoided open
confrontation, maintained double speak over protectionism. Thus the summit
barely managed to reach a broad consensus over a range of issues.
For all the huge noises China made in the run up to G-20
summit, it all ended on a damp note. The meet will be remembered for the
diplomatic jostling and snubs. Western
media expressed great displeasure over unprecedented levels of security that
deprived them access to various sessions. Some experts argued that communiques
delivered after the press briefings offered few insights and in a technically
complex language. Determined to dominate the agenda of G-20 summit and exult in
the new stature of an emerging super power, China notoriously extended a rather
unpleasant reception to President Obama. During the ongoing G-20 sessions, Philippines
reported presence of huge number of Chinese vessels near the disputed
Scarborough Shoal and pulled up Chinese officials for the brazen misadventure.
On the concluding day of the summit, in an attempt to draw international
attention North Korea fired three medium range Rodon ballistic missiles into
the Sea of Japan. Though the summit opened on a high note with China and US
formally announcing ratification of the Paris Climate change agreement, the
much anticipated US-Russia agreement over Syrian conflict wasn’t reached. But
China received a shot in arm with Canada joining the AIIB.
While the summit recognized that global economic growth has
been “too slow for too long and for too few” that the inequalities have
increased, but no consensus was reached on longer- term G-20 vision. The group
affirmed to make globalization work for all. “Hangzhou Consensus” mandated G-20
to work towards inclusive growth through coordinated macroeconomic policy, open
trade and innovation. In all, European delegation which attended the meet for
global action on over-capacity of steel production, fair taxation and global
refugee crisis expressed satisfaction with the language in the communique.
Others felt that G-20 was low on substance. But irrespective of the outcomes,
China is already basking in the glory of G-20 success.
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