Modi urges unity on ‘greatest challenges’ as India assumes G20 presidency
THE world must cooperate to tackle the greatest challenges of climate change, terrorism, and pandemics, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday as India began its year-long presidency of the Group of 20 (G20).
The Ukraine conflict, which started with a Russian invasion in February, dominated a two-day G20 summit in Indonesia last month, to the frustration of some members that wanted more attention on global economic woes.
‘Today, we do not need to fight for our survival - our era need not be one of war. Indeed, it must not be one,’ Modi said in a declaration published in Indian newspapers to mark the start of the G20 presidency.
‘Today, the greatest challenges we face - climate change, terrorism, and pandemics can be solved not by fighting each other, but only by acting together.’
His comment on war echoed a remark he made to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a regional conference in September, when he told him now was not a time for war, widely interpreted as a mild rebuke of what Russia calls its ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine.
Modi, in the Thursday declaration, said India would aim to depoliticise the global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products, so that geo-political tensions do not lead to global disruptions.
‘As in our own families, those whose needs are the greatest must always be our first concern,’ Modi said.
G20 members agreed at last month’s summit, on the Indonesian island of Bali, to pursue efforts to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 Celsius, including speeding up efforts to phase down unabated use of coal.
India, the world’s second-biggest consumer of coal, said it would prioritise a phased transition to cleaner fuels and the slashing of household consumption to achieve net zero emissions by 2070 to meet its decarbonisation pledge.
‘Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the global South, whose voice often goes unheard,’ Modi said.
‘We will encourage an honest conversation among the most powerful countries - on mitigating risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and enhancing global security.’
During its term, India will hold more than 200 meetings across some 50 cities involving ministers, officials and civil society, leading up to a marquee summit in the capital New Delhi in September 2023.
The timing of the summit, ahead of India’s general elections due in 2024, could help bolster Modi’s already growing reputation at home as a leader of international stature.
The 72-year-old leader also appears to have a personal rapport with many of his G20 counterparts, including US President Joe Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Still, the current complex geopolitical and economic situation will make it a challenge for India and Modi to shape the international response to multiple crises.
This is a moment for India to transition from being a ‘rule-taker to being a rule-maker’, said Rajiv Bhatia and Manjeet Kripalani of Indian think-tank Gateway House.
‘The country has not invested much in multilateral rule-making institutions like the G20, but it is never too late to start.’
Looking forward to supporting India’s G20 presidency: Biden
Describing India as a ‘strong partner’ of the US, President Joe Biden on Friday (2) said he was looking forward to supporting his friend Prime Minister Narendra Modi during India’s G20 presidency.
‘India is a strong partner of the US, and I look forward to supporting my friend Prime Minister Modi during India’s G20 presidency,’
Joe Biden tweeted on Friday.
Prime Minister Modi on Thursday said India will work to further promote oneness, inspired by the theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’ and listed terror, climate change, pandemic as the greatest challenges that can be best fought together.
India’s G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the global South, whose voice often goes unheard, PM Modi said in an article which appeared in several newspapers and was posted on his website as well.
India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive, he said.
The US President also underlined that both countries ‘will advance sustainable and inclusive growth while tackling shared challenges like the climate, energy, and food crises.’
The next G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.
It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
Together, they account for over 80 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product, 75 per cent of international trade and two-thirds of the world population.