A G20 Of Many Firsts: India's Remarkable Impact On The G20

Poila Baishak which is the Bengali New Year Day will be celebrated as the official Foundation Day of West Bengal. The West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the resolution this afternoon.

- KANWAL SIBAL

India's Presidency has been historic for the G20 in many ways. Spanning 13 working groups and 11 engagement groups under the Sherpa Track, India introduced several significant initiatives to strengthen the voice of the Global South in particular.

The concerns of the developing world are not given adequate consideration on the global stage. The Voice of the Global South Summit, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saw the participation of 125 countries and 18 Heads of State, bringing together countries of the Global South to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. This assumed heightened importance in light of recent global developments such as the pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, rising inflation, challenges of food and energy security, all of which have severely impacted the developing world.

Under the leadership of the Indian Presidency, the G20 welcomed the African Union as a permanent member. India's consistent advocacy of the interests of the developing nations finds tangible expression in this significant step. This move was complemented by a very significant increase in African representation in the G20 discussions. Countries like South Africa, Mauritius, Egypt, and Nigeria participated at the highest level, and the involvement of the African Union Chair from Comoros and AUDA-NEPAD further enriched the dialogue, reinforcing India's commitment to amplify diverse voices on the global stage. As Prime Minister Modi stated in a recent interview: "This G20 is reflecting the voice and concerns of the Global South.