India’s recent decision to skip the G20 Summit in Saudi Arabia has raised some eyebrows. While some have praised the move as a bold statement against the continued human rights abuses in the country, others have criticized it as a misstep in the delicate world of international diplomacy. Either way, it has sparked renewed discussions about India’s role in global forums and the challenges it faces in balancing its domestic concerns with its international commitments.
India’s decision to host the G20 Summit in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK) in September 2023 has raised concerns, as the disputed region is internationally recognized as such. Pakistan has rejected India’s announcement, and India’s stance regarding IIOJK has been disputed by Pakistan, which argues that India’s stance disregards the globally recognized disputed status of the region. If India succeeds in hosting the G20 Summit in IIOJK, it will be the first international event to take place in the disputed region since India’s revocation of the region’s special status in August 2019.
The G20 is composed of 19 nations and the European Union. Together, these nations comprise a substantial proportion of the global population, international trade, and global GDP. The G20 members account for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. Holding the Summit in the disputed territory is viewed as endorsing India’s false claims, potentially misleading the international community regarding the current situation in the region.
India has attempted to falsely project normalcy in the disputed territory by organizing investment conferences, and the BJP government is perceived as using the Summit to enhance its soft power and position itself as a leader of the Global South. The Summit is being utilized for domestic political benefits, and the optics of diverting attention from geopolitical issues to topics such as growth, development, economic and disaster resilience, corruption, food and energy security, and poverty reduction is noteworthy.
India’s stance on the Ukraine crisis is a serious challenge for the country, as differences over the issue between the US-led Western powers and Russia led to India’s failure to reach a joint communique during the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting and the Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Bengaluru and New Delhi, respectively. India remains at the core of the US’ approach to contain China, but it also maintains a significant relationship with Russia for defense procurements and the Russian oil supply. In the aftermath of Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, India’s purchases of Russian crude oil increased significantly. Consequently, India’s decision to continue dealing with Russia, such as purchasing high-value items like the S-400 missile system, while also serving as the net security provider for the US in the region is noteworthy. India aims to uphold its “strategic autonomy” concerning its defense and foreign policy matters.
The growing strategic partnership between New Delhi and Washington has paved the way for a Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) waiver in favor of India, which is in contrast to the case of Turkey’s purchase of S-400 missiles from Russia. The Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey for its purchase of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
The forthcoming G20 Summit poses a challenge for India, given the gravity of the Ukraine crisis and the presence of major developed countries. India cannot afford to avoid the debate on the Ukraine crisis during the Summit, as it may have far-reaching political consequences at the global level, possibly leading to polarization within the G20.
In conclusion, India’s decision to host the G20 Summit in IIOJK has raised concerns, given the disputed status of the region. India is perceived as using the Summit to enhance its soft power and position itself as a leader of the Global South. The Ukraine crisis poses a challenge for India, given its relationships with the US and Russia. The Summit may have far-reaching political consequences for India, and its interactions with the major developed countries could lead to polarization within the G20.
