The New Delhi Declaration reads, “The peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical. We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations in the spirit of ‘Vasudhev Kutumbhkam’ ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.”
India made history by hosting the G20 Summit for the first time in New Delhi which was marked by extensive preparations to showcase it’s rich traditions and strengths. Throughout its presidency, India placed a strong emphasis on several critical issues, including promoting inclusive growth, fostering digital innovation, enhancing climate resilience, and ensuring equitable global health access.
Before it gets into the substantive elements across domains, the text , agreed upon in entirety by all 20 members, outlines the political, economic and environmental challenges that have engulfed the world. In a clear sign of India’s role in ensuring that the interests of both the global South, which constitute the marginalised within the international order, and the poor and vulnerable who constitute the marginalised within both rich and poor countries, is addressed, the text also lays out clear principles and priorities.
The Indian presidency has made it clear that there will be no compromise between fighting poverty and fighting the climate crisis. And themes such as ensuring growth, getting sustainable development goals (SDGs) back on track, battling the climate crisis, preparing for health emergencies, reforming multilateral development banks (MDBs), dealing with the debt crisis, spreading digital public infrastructure (DPI), generating jobs, bridging the gender gap, and giving a voice to the global south dominate the letter and spirit of the document.
The grand success of G20 was applauded from across the various segments. To begin with, Mahindra group chairman Anand Mahindra said in a post on X, “Through its Belt and Road initiative, China had hoped to shift the locus of geopolitical leadership. Those ambitions may remain dormant now, with the India-Middle East-Europe corridor offering a detour! Bravo, @PMOIndia @DrSJaishankar #AjitDoval.”
World Bank president Ajay Banga said India has done an excellent job. “They’ve got to a successful declaration. I think the Prime Minister has done a great job on it. I think the G 20 have come together on a number of topics.”
Vijay Shekhar Sharma, founder of Paytm said, “This is huge!! Congratulations to our honourable PM @PMOIndia for making nearly impossible possible. Also, to our India’s Sherpa @amitabhk87 sir for his relentless persuasion of getting it through. This is a monumental milestone of success for our #G20India2023. This is like hosting a fabulous World Cup and winning the final trophy too.”
Undoubtedly, the success of G20 was achieved under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narender Modi, but the real heroes who toiled day and night for an year in bringing the G20’s to a consensus till the last day were the Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Joint secretaries Eenam Gambhir and Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur. The team of diplomats held 300 meetings and circulated 15 drafts with their counterparts on the contentious Ukraine conflict.
“The most complex part of the entire #G20 was to bring consensus on the geopolitical paras (Russia-Ukraine). This was done over 200 hours of non-stop negotiations, 300 bilateral meetings, 15 drafts. In this, I was greatly assisted by two brilliant officers -@NagNaidu08 &@eenamg,” Kant wrote on X.
The most complex part of the entire #G20 was to bring consensus on the geopolitical paras (Russia-Ukraine). This was done over 200 hours of non -stop negotiations, 300 bilateral meetings, 15 drafts. In this, I was greatly assisted by two brilliant officers – @NagNaidu08 & @eenamg pic.twitter.com/l8bOEFPP37
— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 10, 2023
India managed to hammer out an unexpected consensus among the G20 countries on the contentious issue with emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia playing a leading role in reaching the breakthrough. A series of hardball negotiations by India with China, Russia and other key Western players and a strong backing by Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to the efforts helped New Delhi achieve consensus. Reportedly, India circulated the final draft to the G0 leaders on Friday night saying if they did not agree to it, then there would be no declaration.
Confirming the landmark development, Kant said the New Delhi Declaration was the result of multiple rounds of talks and that consensus was only reached late night on September 8.
Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, took to X, described it as a “proud moment for India at G20, praised Amitabh Kant saying, “Well done @amitabhk87! Looks like the IFS lost an ace diplomat when you opted for the IAS! ‘Negotiated with Russia, China, only last night got final draft,’ says India’s G20 Sherpa on ‘Delhi Declaration’ consensus.”
This diplomatic triumph makes it all the more a pity that the government does not bring the same attitude of conciliation & co-operation to bear in its domestic dealings. The failure to invite the Leader of the Opposition, and indeed any Opposition MP, to any of the G20 events,… https://t.co/OQNfC53Wzk
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) September 10, 2023
Undoubtedly, India inked it’s name in the history with the grand success of an event with such magnanimity, bringing the top world leaders on one platform and agreeing to work upon with consensus to make world a better place to live in peace and harmony. Making African Union a member of G20 was a leap step in this direction. Seeing the success of G20, Even the Chinese government was forced to praise the efforts of India. The world is definitely recognising that future years belong to India.
