Modi Prepares For Biggest Diplomatic Challenge Yet
The Independent|September 06, 2023
With both Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping skipping the G20 summit in Delhi, experts tell Shweta Sharma that India's leader will struggle to foster unity in a divided world
Shweta Sharma
Modi Prepares For Biggest Diplomatic Challenge Yet

When Narendra Modi addressed the G20's foreign ministers at a gathering in Delhi earlier this year, he urged the world's top diplomats to "rise above" their countries' differences and "build consensus". Citing India's chosen theme of "One Earth, One Family, One Future", he called upon member states to work together to "achieve common and concrete objectives".

That meeting, like every other ministerial meeting of India's G20 so far, ended without a joint statement. Now, with prime ministers and presidents descending on New Delhi for this weekend's leaders' summit, India faces the very real prospect of presiding over the first G20 ever to fail to agree a leaders' communique.

Analysts say India has faced a seemingly insurmountable task in bridging the gap between Western nations on one side and allies Russia and China on the other, with their differences over the Ukraine war having only widened throughout the year since India assumed the G20 presidency.

Nonetheless, the Indian government has invested a huge amount of time and money in presenting this G20 as the moment when the country takes on a leadership role on the world stage, with Modi himself as the "Vishwaguru" or global teacher providing a voice for the whole developing world.

Preparations for Delhi to host the high-stakes summit on Saturday and Sunday are in their final stages, with a beautification drive targeting unsightly open rubbish dumps and webs of hanging electrical wires, street dogs and monkeys temporarily driven out of the city centre, and new walls erected to obscure the view of slums and congested neighbourhoods.

A sprawling new convention centre, Bharat Mandapan, has been built in the heart of the national capital at the cost of Rs 27bn (£250m) to host dignitaries and media delegations from across the world.

Esta historia es de la edición September 06, 2023 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

Esta historia es de la edición September 06, 2023 de The Independent.

Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.

MÁS HISTORIAS DE THE INDEPENDENTVer todo
England's selection issues in a defining year for Stokes
The Independent

England's selection issues in a defining year for Stokes

England’s busiest year of Test cricket finished with a bang. Just not the type they were after.

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Jesus scores hat-trick to secure Arsenal comeback
The Independent

Jesus scores hat-trick to secure Arsenal comeback

Gabriel Jesus scored a second-half hat-trick as Arsenal staged an impressive fightback to book their place in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup with a 3-2 win against Crystal Palace.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Reds survive late surge to reach Carabao Cup semis
The Independent

Reds survive late surge to reach Carabao Cup semis

After a full and imposing pre-season under his belt, Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott had lofty ambitions this season. Could he crack a regular starting spot? The diminutive left-footed playmaker, signed amid so much promise from Fulham five years ago, certainly would not have anticipated his first start of the season coming in mid-December. But on a torrential night on the south coast, Elliott shone brightest as the Carabao Cup holders, ultimately, sneaked through at Southampton last night.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Rashford's love affair with Man Utd nears its sad end
The Independent

Rashford's love affair with Man Utd nears its sad end

Forward ready for a new challenge’ after baffling slump

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Inflation is up again... and it's fired by 'greedflation'
The Independent

Inflation is up again... and it's fired by 'greedflation'

With inflation jumping to 2.6 per cent, is it time to start discussing \"greedflation\"? This was a hot topic a year ago when critics said companies were failing to pass on the falling costs they were benefitting from as inflation came down. Even the Bank of England voiced concern.

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Edgar-Jones misses mark in Tennessee Williams classic
The Independent

Edgar-Jones misses mark in Tennessee Williams classic

The star of 'Normal People' fails to achieve emotional lift-off in 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' stage return, writes Alice Saville

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Fergie may be the key to a peaceful palace Christmas
The Independent

Fergie may be the key to a peaceful palace Christmas

When it comes to royal ructions, Prince Andrew is the gift that keeps on giving. Step forward someone not traditionally known for being the voice of calm, writes Harry Mount

time-read
4 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
It's no Holiday living in a 'perfect' Cotswolds cottage
The Independent

It's no Holiday living in a 'perfect' Cotswolds cottage

If the classic Christmas romcom makes you fantasise about moving to a beautiful old house in the countryside, then Simon Mills, who just did that, has this warning for you

time-read
6 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
This 'cuspy Waspi' woman is furious at Labour's deceit
The Independent

This 'cuspy Waspi' woman is furious at Labour's deceit

\"I've always been pleased that I was born at the end of the Fifties. It was a time when you could easily get a GP appointment, and when schools had new buildings. War-time rationing was over. Clothes were colourful, toys were plentiful, and I had the Sixties music of The Beatles, Dusty Springfield and The Monkees as the soundtrack of my childhood.

time-read
2 minutos  |
December 19, 2024
Musk-Farage meeting hands a political gift to Starmer
The Independent

Musk-Farage meeting hands a political gift to Starmer

The talks between Nigel Farage and Elon Musk at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida have highlighted the urgent need to reform the UK's archaic rules on how political parties are funded. No money for Reform UK was agreed and Farage described reports of a $100m donation by Musk as \"for the birds\".

time-read
3 minutos  |
December 19, 2024