India’s assumption of the presidency of the G-20 is of great importance at all levels, given the global position India enjoys that qualifies it to play a prominent role in hot issues in the international arena.
On December 1, India officially assumes the presidency of G20 an inter-governmental forum of the world’s 20 major developed and developing economies, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation until November 30, 2023.
Under this heading and this umbrella, the theme of India’s presidency is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (One Earth, One Family, One Future), (One Earth, One Family, One Future).
It is expected to take place during this year over 200 G20 meetings in more than (50) states in the country. Most notably meeting the leaders of The G20 (18) Leaders’ Summit which is scheduled to be held on 09 and 10 September 2023 in New Delhi.
To enhance the participation of friendly countries outside the framework of the group and to create more global interaction New Delhi plans to host the most inclusive G20 meetings with over 800 special invitees from Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Mauritius, the Netherlands, Spain and the UAE and many international bodies, and business leaders.
Although the agenda of the summit has been economic in nature since its establishment in 1999 and the holding of the first summit in 2008 is not an ordinary event, a global one that the whole world is looking forward to.
This group of nations accounts for 85 percent of the world’s GDP, 75 percent of trade, and 66 percent of its population.
India’s assumption of the presidency of the G20 is based on the cumulative achievements of India since its national liberation movement and then its independence from Britain and the story of its struggle that extends throughout history to enhance its international standing and its international institutions, the latest of which was its election to the temporary membership of the UN Security Council 2021-2022.
India also assumes this international responsibility at a time when its economy is showing signs of prosperity and upward growth.
In Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2022: India, which is on course to becoming a global superpower in 25 years, will be a $30 trillion economy by 2047, Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal said.
India’s merchandise exports would record double-digit growth in 2022-23. India’s merchandise and services exports grew 34.5% in 2021-22 to a record $670bn.
Also, the country is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy, outpacing Japan and Germany, by 2027 and will have the third-largest stock market by 2030, according to S&P Global and Morgan Stanley.
On December 6, the World Bank also came out with a report stating that the Indian economy will grow at 6.9% in the current fiscal year, India is expected to become a manufacturing powerhouse and hub.
Economic reports also indicate that India will contribute more to the global manufacturing market in the coming years. The growth will also open the floodgates for new investments and an array of businesses.
Morgan Stanley said overall consumption in the country could more than double from $2 trillion in 2022 to $4.9 trillion by 2030.
The Current Situation & Global Concern
India’s assumption of the presidency of the G-20 comes amid various strategic challenges, starting with the continuation of the Russian-Ukrainian devastation, the energy crisis, the threat to food security, tensions in the South China Sea, strained relations between Washington and Beijing, unstable relations between New Delhi and Beijing, And the diversity and multiplicity of forms of terrorism and its causes and how joint collective action to confront it
And the need to introduce reforms in the structure of international institutions, foremost of which is the United Nations, which New Delhi aspires to be a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
the continuation of the global financial crisis and rising inflation equipment in West Asia and the Middle East.
The External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed current conditions “India has to take the lead in pushing for collective action and that is exactly what we intend to do at the G20.
Adding” This includes action on pressing issues of the day, such as energy and food security, more equitable solutions to health challenges, sustainable development goals, indebtedness, climate justice, and lack of resources for climate action.
The Global interest in India’s presidency of the G20, betting and relying on its efforts to achieve and strengthen international peace and security and reduce conflict and fronts of confrontation around the world due to the respect and appreciation enjoyed by New Delhi and its multiple political and cultural identities.
And her lofty message to continue the tireless work to achieve peace, stability, and prosperity in the world and her efforts to find political and diplomatic solutions to all tensions and conflicts around the world, and her constant belief since her resignation in 1947 in the importance of achieving peace in the world.
The world, in its aspirations and hopes for India as its president of the G20, exceeds the goals of the group itself, due to the world’s confidence in India and its historical and cultural heritage for thousands of years, including its national liberation movement and its struggle against the British occupation under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, and what it has entrenched in the minds of humanity as an example and model of peace and non-violence.
As well as the unique democracy represented by India as the largest oasis of democracy in the world.
In addition to the cultural and religious diversity, the successful model of peaceful and civil coexistence, the continued economic rise of India, comprehensive development in all fields, and openness in relations with the countries of the world, bilaterally and multilaterally.
India’s Presidency and Priorities
Among its priorities is also the redefinition of the new India, which is politically, culturally, and economically diverse, it proceeds according to its set agenda to achieve the maximum degree of political and economic benefit in all fields at a time when the world is witnessing geo-strategic, social, and economic fluctuations in various fields, and the global economy is witnessing great strategic fluctuations.
India is also trying, through its national agenda, to make its presidency of the Group of Twenty a global opportunity to encourage global investment in India, encourage tourism, and open more opportunities for its technology companies.
And the creation of commercial partnerships with various international companies.
Therefore, the government, led by Prime Minister Modi, sought through his meeting with party heads, state prime ministers, and various leaders on Monday, December 5, in a successful and distinguished political move, to listen to the voices of all and to create a pattern of national collective thinking and action for the success of India as a country. Identity, history, and future in the presidency of this important international assembly.
New Delhi has set its aspirations for the G20 summit on the basis of India’s national agenda, which was expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Chairing a meeting of leaders from all parties on India’s presidency of the G-20, Mr. Modi said:
“G-20 Presidency belongs to the entire nation and it presents an opportunity to showcase India to the world. There is global curiosity and attraction towards India as the G-20 presidency brings great opportunities for tourism and the local economy.”
The Prime Minister also said that this summit is not merely a diplomatic meeting. India takes it as a new responsibility and as the world’s trust in it.
Adding also in the 95th episode of “Mann Ki Baat” monthly radio broadcast that it is an opportunity to present the “diverse and distinctive colours” of our culture to the world as delegates who attend the meetings are “tourists of the future”.
as well as what T And expressed as well the External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at a University Connect event to mark the occasion he described India’s assumption of the G-20 Presidency as an “unparalleled” event.
And said “This is actually a gathering of extraordinary importance and one that is unparalleled in our history. The very process of holding the G20 itself is uniquely impactful.
Adding “The rise of India is deeply linked to the rise of Indian technology.
Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Indian party leaders, chief ministers, and dignitaries on Monday 5 December represented a qualitative development in India’s management of the file and reflects the desire of the government, the prime minister, and the ruling party to include all Indians in the success of the G20 leadership and shows a realistic vision and a distinct Indian model.
Modi is moving forward
The special and distinguished diplomacy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi adds a prominent flavour to India’s presidency of the G-20 summit, as the prime minister-elect for a second term ending in 2024 enjoys appreciation and respect among world leaders and various political blocs.
In addition to the openness of his relations and the relations of India, under his presidency, to various countries, including the contradictory ones.
As well as the network of communication and diplomatic contact with the conflicting parties, especially in the current war between Russia and Ukraine, which qualifies Prime Minister Modi to present his own initiative to find political solutions to the escalating crisis between the two countries, which is reflected politically and economically on the whole world.
The majority of world leaders have welcomed India’s assumption of the presidency of the Group of Twenty, including the United States of America, in the words of President Joe Biden.
The White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said The United States supports India’s G 20 presidency and will continue its efforts to build a resilient global economy, adding “We look forward to supporting India’s G 20 presidency next year and on a range of issues including addressing current food and energy security challenges while continuing our efforts to build a resilient global economy.”
I think the whole world is waiting for an Indian initiative that will provide real opportunities to stop the war between Ukraine and Russia and search for a political way out, including New Delhi organizing an international conference to achieve peace and stop the war between the two countries. which is provided by the conditions surrounding India’s global stature and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s international position.
Recall The History
This is not the first time that India finds itself in the eyes of the world. The Seventh Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement, which was hosted by New Delhi in March 1983, was an exceptional summit at the time due to the international circumstances that the world was witnessing at the time, the most prominent of which was the Iran-Iraq war which erupted in the year 1980.
And the threat it represents to the Arab Gulf and the security and stability of the world.
In West Asia and in the Middle East were the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the fight against the Israeli occupation forces of the Palestine Liberation Organization in 1982.
The seventh summit was attended by over a hundred member countries, 19 countries observers, and 27 countries and organizations as a guest.
While India works with full responsibility to stop the war between Ukraine and Russia India as chairperson of Nam from 1983- 1986 did try to find a solution to Iran – Iraq war and Indian prime minister Indira Gandhi visited both countries Iran and Iraq to solve the matter
As for the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the war against the Palestine Liberation Organization, India reacted very harshly to the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in June 1982.
At the New Delhi Nam summit, a committee was set up at the heads of the state government level to support the rights of Palestine.
India, the Middle East & Presidency of G20
I do not want to talk at length about India’s relationship with the West Asian region or the Middle East.
The roots of this relationship go back thousands of years, starting with geography, history, travel, and trade until it developed into a modern and deep concept in intertwined relationships that includes all aspects of life.
Among its most prominent current aspects are energy security, employment, food security, technological cooperation, military relations, and strategic and political alliances.
Across the various political developments in West Asia and the Middle East, India has always been present, even since it was a national liberation movement and before it became independent from the British occupation.
Its relationship with the region, its inhabitants, and their issues is an extended and radiating relationship, in which India has always been keen to have an opinion, due to the great importance it attaches to the region, and to what India means of self-esteem and the aspiration of the region’s residents to its positions.
The Indian national liberation movement expressed its positions on Arab issues, foremost of which was the affirmation of support for the Palestinian cause
By following the history of relations between India and the Arab world in the most important strategic stations that the region of West Asia and the Middle East went through, India has issued political stances that carried its views and positions on the overall events and developments.
Including the three attacks on Egypt, securing the Suez Canal in 1956, the destruction of 1967, the 1973 war between the Arabs and Israel, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1983, the war between Iraq and Iran, Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait, and the Madrid Peace Conference. Oslo Accords between the Palestine Liberation Organization and Israel.
And another long account of the sequence of events in the region and the Indian positions towards it, and all of these positions express India’s vision of the importance of the region and its interaction with its issues.
The Middle East and West Asia region is still threatened by instability or the provision of comprehensive security and the required prosperity, and it faces many challenges, most notably the continuation of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and the disruption of any progress in the political process, in addition to many other challenges, including the Gulf-Iranian relations, the challenges of unemployment, poverty, and energy.
The visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Palestinian territories in February 2017 as the first Prime Minister of India to visit Palestine was an important political expression of the importance of this issue.
And to express its interest in the political settlement process between the Palestinians and the Israelis in the region, India appointed one of its most prominent veteran diplomats, Mr. Chinmaya Gharekhan as a special envoy of India for the middle east from 2005-2009.
The Middle East, West Asia, and an important part of the world have population, cultural, and energy wealth. It looks forward to more interest and joint work with India in its bilateral and multilateral frameworks, based on the history and heritage of authentic relations with India.
The Arab world sees India today, with its economic growth and international rise, which has become internationally qualified to be one of the leading countries in order to create a state of international balance after the unbalanced American exclusivity.
Given that India enjoys close relations with West Asian countries and the Middle East, including Israel and the Palestinian National Authority, and the concerns of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the leaders of the Middle East, the atmosphere is also ripe for presenting a political initiative that revives the stalled peace process and stops the daily Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, which Done in full view of the world.
The Palestinian cause has historically been accustomed to India’s support since the launch of the Palestinian national liberation movement and India’s recognition as the first non-Arab country of Palestinian independence in 1988.
This is the long and bright history of the relationship between the two sides.
Despite India’s preoccupation with many vital files globally during its presidency of the G20 summit, taking a look at the Middle East, especially the Palestinian issue, and working to achieve peace between the Palestinians and the Israelis and reducing current tensions is essential for strengthening and raising India’s position globally, including achieving its hopes and aspirations to be a permanent member In the UN Security Council and one of the leading countries in the world.
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