Harsh Shringla, India’s foreign secretary, recently emphasized India’s approach towards inclusivity in the G20 group of nations. As a founding member of the G20, India has been at the forefront of advocating for developing nations’ interests in the global economic forum. With its increasing economic potential, India has been playing a crucial role in shaping the discussions at the G20 summits. In this article, we will explore India’s stance on various issues and how it has been pushing for a more inclusive and equitable growth model.
The G20 is facing growing tensions between Russia and China on one side, and the West led by the US on the other, and G20 chief coordinator Harsh Shringla has called for inclusivity to overcome these divisions. Speaking at a conference organised by India Writes Network and Centre for Global India Insights, Shringla urged the economically advanced nations of the G20 to ignore the Ukraine conflict and not get distracted from addressing global issues. Both G20 finance and foreign ministers’ meetings were marred by a lack of consensus on Ukraine. Shringla said it was important to take a larger view and take decisions to make a difference in the world.
Shringla, a former foreign secretary, also called for reform within the G20 to better reflect the interests of developing countries, which he said have “suffered the brunt of black swan events” such as the pandemic and the Ukraine war. The impact of these events has been significant for the world at large, but the developing world has been hit the hardest. Shringla’s comments come as India prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2023.
Indonesia’s Ambassador to India, Inna H. Krisnamurthi, also participated in the conference and said that India would strive and thrive in its G20 presidency. She highlighted India’s achievements on the issue of digital energy transition and other issues, and urged the G20 summit not to lose hope and optimism.
The G20 was formed in 1999 and includes 19 countries and the European Union. The member countries represent approximately 80% of the world’s GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the global population. The G20 has faced numerous challenges in recent years, with tensions between countries leading to a lack of consensus on important issues.
The Ukraine conflict has been a major topic of discussion within the G20, with Russia and China backing Ukraine’s annexation of Crimea while the West, led by the US, has taken a strong stance against it. The situation in Ukraine remains volatile and is seen as a threat to international stability.
The G20 has also struggled to find consensus on issues related to climate change, trade, and economic reform. These issues have become increasingly important as the world faces growing economic uncertainty and environmental challenges.
As India prepares to assume the G20 presidency in 2023, it will need to work closely with other member countries to address these challenges and find common ground on important issues. India has been a key player in promoting economic and diplomatic cooperation in the region and will need to continue this work as it takes on the G20 presidency. The country has a large and growing economy, and is seen as a major player in the geopolitical landscape of Asia.
Shringla’s comments on inclusivity and the need for reform within the G20 reflect the growing recognition that the world is facing complex and interconnected challenges that require cooperation and dialogue between nations. As tensions continue to simmer within the G20, it is important to focus on finding common ground and working together to address these challenges. The world is looking to the G20 to show leadership and to take bold action to tackle the most pressing issues of our time.
