The successful conclusion of Delhi G20 Summit could well be summed up as a proud ‘Bharat’ moment for all the Indians. In terms of symbolism and messaging as well as overall impact, it heralded the arrival of India on the world stage. The timing was just right since it coincided with India’s emergence as a rising economic power and growing worldwide interest in India’s rich cultural legacy, much of which was also on display at the Summit.
It was nice to see people of Indian origin, including British PM Sunak and World Bank President Ajay Banga, attend this gathering of important world leaders at the Summit. Members of the Indian diaspora have come to occupy the highest positions in their respective adopted countries and for Anatar Rashtriya Sahyog Parishad (ARSP), which has devoted the last six decades to expanding India’s outreach to its vast diaspora, the images coming out of the Summit were particularly heartwarming.
It was commendable that India was able to accomplish consensus on a whole range of issues, from the Ukraine war to climate change, and to announce the adoption of a declaration well before the closure of the Summit despite cynicism in various quarters. This was, of course, a testimony to the diplomatic skills and leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and our entire team, but it is equally important to note that India was able to steer the agreement only because it has stayed away from bloc politics while consistently adhering to an objective and principled approach to international relations.
The inclusive manner in which India discharged its responsibility as the President of G20 also received widespread appreciation. Hundreds of official meetings spread throughout the country, supplemented by thousands of meetings organised by various engagement groups, created unprecedented momentum and people’s involvement at large in G20. Never before did a multilateral foreign policy issue see such extensive involvement at the level of people. ARSP was privileged to have been involved in undertaking these activities as an active member of the core working group on Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which was designated by PM Modi as the underlying theme of our presidency.
The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam comes from a verse in the ancient Hindu scripture Maha Upanishad (ayaṁ bandhur ayaṁ neti gaṇanā laghucetasām / udāracaritānāṁ tu Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam), which means: “This one is my relative and that one is not: this is the calculation of small-minded people. But for noble-minded people, the whole world itself is a family.” It essentially signifies the eternal truth – the oneness of the universe – ‘One World, One Family, One Future.’
With conventional narratives such as power balance, clash of civilisations, realistic conflict theory, etc., dominating our worldview, we have not been able to find any solution to conflicts raging in our world. We continue to ignore the eternal truth that our universe is inherently interconnected and interdependent. Human society, therefore, needs to develop alternative approaches as a way out of this quagmire and align with the truth of the oneness of existence, embodied in the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which resonates deeply within India’s multicultural and diverse society.
Indeed, many cultures have a similar ethical framework that has served as the underpinning of building inclusive and peaceful societies. While these ideas are articulated in various languages, they ultimately recognise the same ideals: that we, as human beings, share a common humanity and oneness on the basis of our aspiration to strive towards the universal good and harmony. There is nothing wrong in pursuing national interest. But if it is perceived in a broader context, keeping long-term perspective in mind, there would appear to be hardly any contradiction with the global good. In fact, the well-being of others and the world at large would appear to reinforce our own welfare.
The above point can be explained through several practical examples. It is accepted that the protection of the environment is the world’s collective responsibility since no single nation, however resourceful, has the capacity to handle it on its own. Likewise, the fight against deadly viruses, as we have seen in the last three years, can also not be undertaken by any country alone since the spread of the virus transcends national boundaries. The scourge of international terrorism, which continues to afflict our world, also similarly needs a concerted global action requiring all countries to put aside their short-term political compunctions and expediency. These examples are merely illustrative and are by no means exhaustive.
Under PM Modi, India has consistently followed the approach of Vasudhaiv Kutumbkam in the conduct of its foreign affairs. Supply of COVID vaccines to developing countries even in the midst of vaccine shortages within India, supply of foodgrains to affected countries in the wake of food shortages resulting from the Ukraine conflict and prompt action in despatching emergency relief to Turkey after the massive earthquake there despite our indifferent relations with that country are just a few of the several instances which could be cited in this regard.
The entry of the African Union as a full-fledged member of G20 was perhaps one of the most important decisions taken at the Delhi Summit. India’s initiative was, no doubt, in keeping with her special relations with Africa. India’s shared history and empathy resulting from our colonial past and subjugation is particularly noteworthy in this regard. This lends a particular uniqueness to our relations with Africa, unmatched by others who might be able to provide much greater financial resources.
India has for long championed the cause of the global South. Indeed, one of the first major activities to be undertaken by India at the onset of its G20 presidency was a virtual Summit of ‘Voice of Global South’ in January this year with a view to providing a ‘common platform’ to deliberate on issues of priority concern to the developing countries and channelising the relevant inputs into G20 discussions. India believes that due attention needs to be given to these issues on the global stage, particularly since recent global developments, such as the Covid pandemic and ongoing Ukraine conflict, have severely impacted the developing world while they continue to face serious challenges of debt crisis as well as food and energy security.
G20 has, so far, been primarily dealing with global economic and financial issues. But these issues, as many world leaders asserted, cannot be completely divorced from political and security issues. The strengthened presence of developing countries in the grouping would lend this grouping greater credibility in dealing with a wide range of global issues and enable it to function as an effective bridge between North and South.
In the coming years, it also appears well-placed to probe more deeply into political issues and conflicts raging in the world. In fact, seen in the light of the reluctance of the UN Security Council to reform itself and make it duly representative, which has rendered it ineffective and irrelevant, G20 beginning to fill in the void seems even more likely.
We are well aware that China has been quite active in preventing the expansion of the Security Council and, thereby, denying India an opportunity to play the requisite role in international affairs. Quite naturally, our aspiration to be part of the global high table and to play a due role in world affairs, commensurate with our growing credentials and weight in the world, can only be realised in the present circumstances through G20. It would thus be in our own interest to help G20 evolve into a global high table capable and willing to deal with an all-encompassing global agenda.
India’s growing stature and visibility would result in considerable economic dividends for the country in the coming years. The last few years have seen serious disruption in the global supply chain and the realisation by world leaders that over-reliance on China was hugely detrimental to their long-term interests. Some of the manufacturing facilities to be relocated out of China could well be diverted to India. The announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe shipping and transport corridor on the margins of the G20 Summit in this regard holds considerable promise for India.
The launch of ‘Global Bio-fuel Alliance’ on the lines of Solar Alliance and its quick endorsement by world leaders, is demonstrative of India’s growing ability in driving global agenda. The fact that PM Modi has moderated national interest with concern for global good, as epitomised in the embrace of the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, has obviously strengthened our credibility and contributed to the success of Delhi Summit.
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