India is scheduled to host the G-20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State in the capital on September 9 and 10, 2023.
The Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday that India will assume the Presidency of the intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies for one year from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023, the MEA added.
Briefing about the summit, the MEA said that under its Presidency, India is expected to host over 200 G20 meetings across the country, beginning in December 2022. It comprises 19 countries – Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the USA, and the European Union.
Collectively, the G20 accounts for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world population, making it the premier forum for international economic cooperation. India is currently part of the G20 Troika (current, previous, and incoming G20 Presidencies) comprising Indonesia, Italy, and India.
“During our Presidency, India, Indonesia, and Brazil would form the troika. This would be the first time when the troika would consist of three developing countries and emerging economies, providing them a greater voice,” the MEA said.
In addition to G20 Members, there has been a tradition of the G20 Presidency inviting some Guest countries and International Organizations (IOs) to its G20 meetings and summits.
Accordingly, in addition to regular International Organizations (UN, IMF, World Bank, WHO, WTO, ILO, FSB, and OECD) and Chairs of Regional Organizations (AU, AUDA-NEPAD and ASEAN), India, as G20 Presidency, will be inviting Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and UAE as guest countries, as well as ISA (International Solar Alliance), CDRI (Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure) and ADB (Asian Development Bank) as Guest IOs, the MEA said.
Speaking about the priorities, the MEA said that while the G20 priorities are in the process of being firmed up, ongoing conversations inter alia revolve around inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth; LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment); women’s empowerment; digital public infrastructure and tech-enabled development in areas ranging from health, agriculture and education to commerce, skill-mapping, culture and tourism; climate financing; circular economy; global food security; energy security; green hydrogen; disaster risk reduction and resilience; developmental cooperation; fight against economic crime; and multilateral reforms.
The Shift from Kashmir to Delhi
The hosting of the G-20 summit in Kashmir is a landmark decision. It will be for the first time that such a high-profile international summit, which going by the past summits of this grouping, will have the participation of major economies, including the US, Canada, China, Australia, UK, and Germany.
It was previously planned to hold the G-20 in Kashmir so as to tell the international community that the status of Kashmir as a conflict is disappearing. However, the conflict is far from over and there are daily gun battles and deaths occurring.
The reason for the shift could be many other reasons, which are not disclosed as yet.