Championing Consensus

During its presidency, India reaffirmed the importance of the G20 as the premier forum for global economic cooperation, and reinforced trust in the multilateral system

WHEN INDIA ASSUMED the G20 presidency in December last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised an inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive presidency. In January 2023, during the Voice of the Global South Summit, he said India’s presidency would reflect the voice and concerns of the Global South. And India has delivered on those promises. The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD) promises strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth, recognising the importance of private enterprises—especially micro, small and medium enterprises and start-ups—in driving innovation and employment. The declaration, adopted with full consensus, is a joint statement to the world from the leaders of the member nations.

Policies to support trade and investment and reform the WTO are areas where the leaders have committed to concrete action. India’s G20 presidency has also delivered on both the climate and development agendas. We adopted the G20 Principles on Harnessing Data for Development, and produced an action plan to accelerate SDG progress. The G20 Deccan High-Level Principles (HLPs) on Food Security and Nutrition 2023, along with millets and other ancient grains, will help ensure global food and nutritional security. Also, we formed a Global Initiative on Digital Health (GIDH) and focussed on climate change’s health effects.