Summit that PM delivered

In a column published by multiple media outlets, just prior to the G20 summit, the Prime Minister wrote, "For India, the G20 Presidency is not merely a high-level diplomatic endeavour. As the mother of democracy and a model of diversity, we opened the doors of this experience to the world." On taking over the presidency in December last year, Mr.

- HARSHA KAKAR

Modi had stated, "Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow travellers in the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard." And India delivered.

The Indian theme for the presidency was 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is a family), which in English signifies, 'One Earth, One Family, One Future.' Initially, the inclusion of the original theme in the declaration was objected to by China on the ground that Sanskrit is not a UN recognized language. However, support from others ensured it happened.

In an interview to ANI, S Jaishankar, India's foreign minister mentioned, "I don't think it is just a matter of India seeing something. Today, the expectations of the world are very high in terms of what the G20 is able to produce, and produce in terms of meeting challenges of the world." In another interaction, Jaishankar had stated that India is the first host country of the G20 that held its 200 meetings in 60 cities across the country, adding, "We have done it so that the world could see the full diversity and richness of India." Over 30,000 delegates attended and over 150,000 Indians were directly or indirectly involved in its conduct.

For the first time since terrorism commenced, a major event was held in Kashmir. It opened doors to tourism and now the Miss World contest is expected to be conducted in Srinagar later this year. Protests by China and Pakistan and skipping of the event by a few nations made no difference. The world witnessed a peaceful and changed Kashmir, pushing all claims of the region facing human rights violations aside.