G20 is one of the most important groupings in the world representing approximately 85% of the world’s GDP, more than 70% of the global trade as well as covers more than 65% of the world’s population. It will not be an exaggeration to state that bulk of the world is covered in terms of GDP, trade and population, leaving aside bulk of African countries.
Conceived and started in 1999 to address the economic concerns of Asian nations, it encompasses 19 countries to include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) to take the count to 19 and reaches 20 to include European Union as its member.
Having been started at the ministerial level in 1999, it has been upgraded to be attended by the heads of the states which clearly indicates the growing clout of this group, the world over. The presidency of G20 grouping is on rotational basis wherein India has been the current President having started the tenure on 1 December 22 and will continue till 30 November 23 when the baton will pass to another country. Another high of this year for India has been the presidency of SCO for a year. The vibrancy with which India has organized the events in various states of the country, the events related to SCO followed by those of G20 has taken the entire word by surprise, further cementing the India’s position on the world stage.
India’s approach has been “inclusive”, intent on and propagation of the “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” principle, meaning “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. The G20 summit being organized in New Delhi on 9-10 September is the first one being organised in India as well as in South Asia.
India has conducted a large number of G20 events covering various subjects in the majority of the states/ Union territories in India to showcase the national vibrancy which draws its strength from the concept of Unity in Diversity. India has been trying to enhance mutual communication between the participating nations, but the intensity of efforts is being adversely affected due to the following reasons:
Since Russia launched special operations in Ukraine in 22 February, the world appears to be divided in two blocks–one led by the USA and the other led by Russia. A surprise entry in this conflict space has been that of China wherein a “no limits” friendship has been propounded between Russia and China. The opposing views don’t let quality declaration in the end of the summit, as USA and the Western nations insist on Ukraine being included, whereas the same is strongly opposed by Russia and China.
The differences due to above reasons affect a number of other areas of deliberation where convergence is feasible. India has a tough task ahead to balance various views at the end of G20 summit, a challenge which it had to handle during SCO summit meet as well.
The summit meeting should be invariably attended by the heads of the states but even that appears to have been compromised. Confirmation has been received regarding non-attendance of Russian president Vladimir Putin and Russia is going to be represented by its foreign minister. While this could be still justified due to ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, China has indicated that President Xi Jinping would skip the G20 gathering, and instead Premier Li Qiang will attend the event in New Delhi this weekend in his place. This is to demonstrate the commonality of approach with Russia in opposition to USA, India and other such countries.
When it was incumbent on the part of China to create a conducive atmosphere during the forthcoming G20 summit meet specially at a time when it has carried out transgressions on the LAC since April 2020 in the Eastern Ladakh in India, it has further rattled not only India but a number of other countries in the world by publishing a map attacking the sovereignty of other nations.
The current geopolitical space is getting affected adversely due to a lack of Russian victory against Ukraine besides hegemonistic ambitions of China in Indo-Pacific, including the South China Sea. It has been rattling a majority of its neighbours as well as a number of other countries in the world which are focusing on a “rule-based international order”. Delhi has been decked up beautifully and the event will be held in the recently constructed convention center at Pragati Maidan, but the real test lies in re-energising the soul of all G20 members as per India’s strategic aims as against being limited to physical parameters and rituals.
Maj Gen (Dr) Ashok Kumar, VSM (Retd), is a Kargil War veteran and Senior Fellow CLAWS.