Pulling off a near-impossible task of unanimous consensus with the Delhi declaration, India has certainly set a high benchmark for Brazil. With the theme of “Building a Just World and Sustainable Planet”, Brazil set the course for the 19th edition of the G20 Summit held on November 18-19 in Rio de Janeiro. Comprising 19 countries and two regional bodies- the European Union and the African Union, G20 represents around 85% of the global economy and two-thirds of the world population. The summit focussed on three core aspects- fight against hunger, poverty and inequality; sustainable development, energy transition, climate change and reforms in global governance.
In tune with
the objectives of the theme, Brazilian President Incio Lula da Silva launched
the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty. The initiative has received
support from over 81 countries and 26 international organisations. With plans
to end hunger pangs of nearly 773 million will go down as a great legacy
project of Brazil. Brazil which received the Presidency baton from India more
or less prioritised the aspects that New Delhi highlighted.
India
adeptly customised the G20 agenda to be more inclusive, and human-centric.
India announced the Global Biofuel Alliance and recommended Mission LiFE, a
collective effort for climate preservation. Rio Summit has also rightly
focussed on global issues and endeavoured to accommodate the concerns of the
Global South, which India prioritised under its leadership.
The
Brazilian framework that highlighted the Global South's inequalities and
concerns, was rich in intent but failed to obtain a consensus over a slew of
issues. The geopolitical uncertainties exacerbated by the raging wars have
intensified the global divide. This has become a stumbling block in arriving at
a consensus at the Rio Summit.
The
declaration reiterated, “unwavering commitment to the vision of the
two-state solution where Israel and a Palestinian State live side by side in
peace within secure and recognised borders, consistent with international law
and relevant UN resolutions”. It called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
and Lebanon and the safe return of citizens to their homes on either side of the
blue line. But the declaration had no mention of the Israeli hostages held captive
by the Hamas.
With regards
to the Ukraine war, the declaration welcomed “all relevant and constructive
initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace, upholding
all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of
peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations”. The
declaration also proposed a 2% tax on super-rich billionaires.
Reiterating
the New Delhi Declaration, the Rio Summit acknowledged “the need for
rapidly and substantially scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions
from all sources”. By immaculately conducting the G20 Summit, India has set
the bar high and lent a new directionality. Sustaining that continuity, Brazil
has attempted to carry forward India’s people-centric agenda.
As part of
the Troika- a group of outgoing, present and incoming presidencies, Indian
leadership was something Brazil tried to emulate especially in negotiations on
geopolitics. The current troika
comprising developing countries gave G20 more legitimacy in terms of bringing
to the fore the concerns, challenges and priorities of developing countries.
India which
has led from the front in giving G20 a new framework has reiterated its
commitment to sustainable development and hailed the Rio Summit that resonated
India’s call for “One Earth, One Family and One Future”. Building on the
New Delhi Declaration and the outcomes of the Voice of the Global South
Summits, PM Modi spoke about India’s efforts to pull 250 million people out of
poverty. He listed the government’s initiatives of providing food grains, free
of cost to 800 million and medical insurance to 500 million people apart from
the 60 million senior citizens who are benefitting from the free health
insurance.
At the G20
Session on “Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty”,
Modi highlighted institutional credit worth 300 billion for farmers, crop
insurance worth $20 billion availed by over 40 million farmers and bank loans
to over 300 million women entrepreneurs.
Along with ensuring
food security through the right combination of natural farming and advanced
technologies, India is also focussing on the nutritional needs of school-going
children. Underscoring India’s approach of “Back to Basics and March to
Future” PM Modi welcomed Brazil’s Global Alliance Against Hunger and
Poverty and mentioned India’s humanitarian assistance to Malawi, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. Underlining the perilous impact on Food, Fuel and Fertiliser security
of countries of the Global South by the ongoing wars, PM Modi elaborated on
India’s sustainable agricultural practices, promotion of Sri Ann or Millets,
development of over 2000 climate-resilient crop varieties and Digital
Agriculture Mission.
Addressing
the session on “Sustainable Development and Energy Transition”, PM Modi
highlighted India’s climate action credentials for being the first G20 country
to meet its Paris commitments. India has set a target of 500 GW of renewable
energy by 2030 of which it has already achieved 200 GW. India adopted the
Varanasi Action Plan at the 2023 G20 summit where the group has resolved to
triple renewable energy production and double the energy efficiency rate by
2030.
PM Modi touched
upon India’s global initiatives- International Solar Alliance, One Sun One
World One Grid, Global Biofuel Alliance, Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre, One
Tree For Mother campaign and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure
Initiative (CDRI) with a special focus on post-disaster reconstruction for the
Small Island Nations and urged nations to join Global Development Compact
launched at the 3rd Global South Summit.
PM Modi also
participated in a programme on Digital Public Infrastructure, Artificial
Intelligence (AI) and Data for Governance (DfG) held along the sidelines
of Rio G20 and offered to share India’s expertise in using digital technology
and AI. Preparing for the global challenges of the 21st century, a
sure-footed India is employing the transformative potential of these advanced
technologies to accelerate SDG goals and rapidly enhance lives.
India has
steadily built a digital infrastructure that has empowered people living in the
hinterlands and integrated them into the globalised world. Digital connectivity
has changed the governance system phenomenally, especially in terms of the
delivery of payments and benefits to the needy. Given the immense potential of
digital technologies to advance inclusive development objectives, the G20
Troika -India, Brazil and South Africa have launched a landmark joint declaration
on DPI, AI and DfG. The Troika also recalled the adoption of the Global Digital
Compact at the UN Summit of the Future.
Donning the
role of an affirmative voice of the Global South, offering prescriptive
solutions for the global challenges, India is unambiguously projecting itself
as the voice of the Global South. Despite Beijing’s reservations to acknowledge
India’s rising stature, India’s people-centric approach for inclusive development
is now finding increased acceptance from developed and developing countries.
At a time
when the world is witnessing intense global politicking and rapidly changing
power dynamics, India is unequivocally asserting its commitment to sustainable
development, a cornerstone for the progressive economic growth of the
developing world. India’s benign actions and espousal of inclusive development
are getting favourable recognition.
Incidentally,
the G20 family picture devoid of the US as ambulating sleepy Joe missed the
photo and the Troika of developing nations occupying the centre stage mirrored
the contemporary power restructuring aptly. A missing-in-action US having
failed to provide much-needed leadership to the developing world can’t expect
to be in the driver’s seat.
Global
multilateral institutions need a serious revamp. Despite a growing chorus for
reforms, the First World is still reluctant to revive 20th-century
organisations. The First World’s cavalier approach to increasing growth
inequalities is widening the divide and deepening the chasms. Through increased
engagement, developmental partnerships and visionary initiatives, India after
raising the stature of the G20 summit under its Presidency, is spearheading the
change with collaborative coalitions.
Besides
hogging the limelight with active participation in developmental initiatives,
PM Modi has revitalised ties with Australia, held the annual summit and forged a
renewable energy partnership. He announced the Joint Strategic Action Plan
(2025-29) outlining the vision for five years with Italy. PM Modi also
congratulated and met for the first time, the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, exchanged
views on regional international issues with France President Emmanuel Macron, took
stock of bilateral relations with Norwegian PM Jonas Ghar Store, met Portuguese
PM Luis Montenegro for the first time and agreed to jointly celebrate the 50th
anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2025. Congratulating
Indonesia President Prabawo Subianto on his election, PM Modi reaffirmed his
commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
PM Modi also
met Argentine President Javier Milei and conveyed warm wishes on assuming the
office. In his first meeting with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font, PM Modi
explored the possibilities of cooperation in traditional medicine, education
and culture. Along the margins of the summit, PM Modi met Brazilian President
Lula, thanked him for the hospitality and congratulated him on the success of
Brazil’s G20 and IBSA Presidencies.
Given
India’s commendable progress in terms of poverty alleviation, India’s success
stories have become a beacon of hope for the developing world. Deftly managing
its geopolitical pursuits along with developmental pledges PM Modi shined at
the Rio G20 Summit and unassailably positioned India as the Voice of the Global
South. The scale of diplomatic engagements of Modi and the extensive outreach
carried out along the sidelines of the G20 Summit is worthy of commendation.
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