G-20 Bharat: Redefining the Global Leadership during Amrit Kaal

India wrapped up its G20 moment on 10^th September and has scheduled a virtual stock-taking meeting for November to mark progress on the “Delhi Declaration”, which is the G20 leaders’ consensus document. This document is a watershed for it came when it was least expected- amidst East-West rivalry marked by the Ukraine war, and the North-South polarization (on important issue areas as climate change). The toil of 200 nonstop hours of negotiation, with over 300 bilateral meetings had finally fructified into the consensus document. The Indian diplomats craft-fully, abiding by the middle path approach decided to take the developmental agendas first, keeping the contentious point on deciding upon the language of the paragraph mentioning Ukraine war for later. But eventually, Bharat maneuvered well with its diplomatic acumen and received consensus even on 8 of the 83 paragraphs with geopolitical credentials.Bharat had a task at hand- to ensure that the DelhiDeclaration doesn’t fail at any point for lack of consensus, just how the Bali declaration did because of Russian and Chinese objection on two paragraphs. For this, here instead of out-rightly mentioning Russia as an aggressor in the paragraph concerned, the phrase that has been put instead is “all states must act in a manner consistent with purposes and principles of the UN charter…refrain from the threat or use of force..”. This statement has done the diplomatic marvel of achieving consensus while retaining the core substance of the intended paragraph. The only place where Russia has been mentioned is in Paragraph 11 on revival of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as Russia and Ukraine together account for 21% of global grain trade, which makes this mention crucial for global food security.

The most notable feat however is the integration of India’s global south initiative with the G-20 agenda framework. In January, close to 125 developing countries in the ‘Voice of Global South summit’, something that a national daily called a ‘feeder summit’, was organized at India’s helm to ‘assess’ global south’s concerns and requirement. The pointers from this summit has been carried to the G-20 high table and effectively integrated in the declaration. In a first, the African Union chairperson took over AU’s seat at G20’s venue Bharat Mandapam. This single move has rescued G20 from slipping into irrelevancy on account of ignoring the voice of over 1.3 billion people of Africa. This is a moment of proven solidarity and achievement for the global south.

Bharat’s G-20 moment is a saga of action orientation and inclusivity. Be it the global south countries, the refugees/migrants, farmers, and women- the well-being of all have been fostered. Several outcomes contain comprehensive strategies catering to unique aspirations of the developing countries.

A recent report has mentioned that the earth is exceeding its “safe operating space for humanity” in six out of nine key parameters of its health. The anthropogenic climate crisis needs solution at a war footing. The declaration for the first time formally recognizes a big leap necessary in finance for just energy transitions. The figure of 4 trillion $ per year for clean energy technologies by 2030 for developing countries has been called for to reach Net Zero by 2050, all this with the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibility” as the guiding beam. Bharat’s presidency also saw the launch of “Global Biofuels Alliance” to take the blending of ethanol with petrol to 20% globally. Moreover, the developed countries have re-affirmed their 100 billion $ commitment for climate finance.

Two disasters recently struck the African continent- the Moroccan earthquake and the Libyan floods, causing immense destruction of life. Bharat’s presidency established a Work Stream on Disaster Risk Reduction, emphasizing upon global data capabilities for prompt prediction and response. The Sendai framework for disaster risk reduction has been taken note of.

As if the climate catastrophe wasn’t enough, the geopolitical conflicts all over has furthered the refugee and migrant crisis. The British channel has become the death house of all who aspire to live a peaceful life and hence cross over to Europe which has become a brew spot for anti-immigrant sentiments, impacting human rights, triggering racism and xenophobia. Countering terrorism, money laundering, and several forms of intolerance has thus been incorporated onto the agenda too.

Inclusivity was a key parameter to make G-20 truly a ‘People’s G-20’. For an over-view, consider the gender empowerment vertical whichhas listed the following areas for focused intervention-

The nations resolved to increase women’s participation in fighting the climate crisis, even as it recognized the disproportionate impact of the crisis on women. Commitment to the Brisbane goal to reduce the gap in labor force participation is yet another positive outcome.

Moreover, Food and Nutritional security has been on agenda too, in line with the Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition. Focus has been on providing thrust to initiatives that increase agro-productivity, reduce food waste, to building more climate resilient agriculture and food systems. Importance of open, fair, predictable, and rules based agriculture, food and fertilizer trade has been acknowledged. The agenda items are so pressing, that without due cognizance we would easily miss out on the SDG targets.

Further, quality education that is inclusive, equitable, with thrust to vocational education has been called for in the declaration. Importance of investment to create the same has been recognized.

To address the supply chain disruption, which is a common consequence of disturbance to peace anywhere, a G-20 Generic Framework for Mapping Global Value Chains has been adopted to identify risks and build resilience. Also, the declaration welcomed the High-Level Principles on Digitalization of Trade documents.

Further, the G-20 Principles on Harnessing Data for Development, thedecision to launch the Data for Development Capacity Building Initiative, India’s proposal for a Global Digital Public Infrastructure, and India’s call to maintain a ‘Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository’ as a virtual depository of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) will help create a safe, secure, accountable and inclusive DPI. Bharat also proposed for a One Future Alliance to implement DPI in LMICs(Low or Middle Income Country). India’s very own India Stack is a benchmark from which most countries can benefit.

Promotion of responsible AI to attain the SDGs, the G20 toolkit on cyber education and cyber awareness of children and youth, and the call for leveraging technology for farmers, agro-tech startups, and also in the education sector are other important deliverables. The declaration advocates for safety-by-design approaches in digital tools and technologies to counter challenges that increased digitalization poses for women.

On lines of the LiFE movement mooted by Bharat, G-20 High-Level Principles on Lifestyles for Sustainable Development has been framed. The formation of the RECEIC (Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition) is an important move for reducing waste generation by 2030.

All the above issue items can be addressed when there is ample finance to actualize these. Innovative financing mechanisms are the need of the hour. The multilateral development banks play a crucial role here. The G-20 leaders agree on the need for ‘better, bigger and more effective MDBs”. Bharat has aligned well the global south needs with MDB reform agenda. This is important for a ‘human-centric globalization’, that seeks not to leave behind the very many countries that have their developmental goals due. Thrust to reinvigorated multilateralism, and international cooperation are in general India’s demands at the UN high table to ensure a polycentric world order. This has found place in the declaration too.

The prospect of an India-Middle East-Europe corridor has garnered broad support for forging connectivity. These developments highlight how Bharat’s presidency is a great tying force in an otherwise fragmented and fractured world order.

The verticals covered under the declaration are all encompassing and comprehensive. The success of the Indian grit lies in bringing all the actors (with many divergences e.g. G-20 as a group having both the highest emitter and the lowest too) on the same platform. The broad areas covered thus have been climate change, cyber security, food security, MDBs reforms, gender empowerment, disaster risk reduction, waste management, education, and a sustainable development approach to manage these verticals.

This was truly Bharat’s moment, as it did what was least expected owing to the geopolitical turmoil plaguing the world order and most multilateral institutions. The shifting of focus upon real developmental concerns of the world today without getting scuttled in the stagnating forces of the conflict is a remarkable diplomatic feat for Bharat. Indeed, the declaration has covered holistically the most pressing themes of our times, via a “100% consensus on all developmental and geopolitical issues”.