India is slated to take over the G20 Presidency in 2023, marking a significant milestone for the country’s foreign policy. The G20 is a forum that brings together the world’s leading economies to discuss issues of global economic importance. The group includes the European Union and 19 countries, including the US, China, Japan, and Germany, representing around 80% of the world’s GDP and 60% of the world’s population. India’s leadership of the G20 offers an opportunity for the country to showcase its growing economic and political influence on the world stage. India’s increasing influence in the global arena can be attributed to a combination of factors, including its large and growing economy, its strategic location in the Indo-Pacific region, and its status as the world’s largest democracy. In recent years, India has taken steps to assert its presence on the world stage, pursuing a more assertive foreign policy that emphasizes its strategic interests and seeks to establish partnerships with other major powers. One of the key features of India’s foreign policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been its focus on the Indo-Pacific region. India’s strategic location at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea makes it a key player in the region, and the Modi government has sought to leverage this position to enhance India’s influence. The government has pursued a policy of deepening engagement with key regional powers such as Japan, Australia, and the United States, and has also sought to enhance its economic ties with countries such as Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. India’s growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region has not gone unnoticed by other major powers, including China. The two countries have a complex relationship that is characterized by both cooperation and competition. While India and China have been able to work together on certain issues, such as climate change and regional security, there are also areas of significant disagreement, such as the border dispute in the Himalayas and China’s growing military presence in the region. India’s leadership of the G20 offers an opportunity for the country to showcase its growing economic and political influence on the world stage. The G20 is an important forum for discussing issues of global economic importance, and India’s presidency will allow it to shape the agenda and influence the direction of global economic policy. Some of the key issues that India is likely to prioritize during its presidency include climate change, global economic recovery, and the role of technology in the global economy. India has already demonstrated its commitment to addressing the issue of climate change, and this is likely to be a key focus of its G20 presidency. India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China and the United States, and the country has set ambitious targets for reducing its emissions. During the recent COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, India pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, a significant commitment that will require significant investments in renewable energy and other low-carbon technologies. India’s leadership of the G20 will also provide an opportunity for the country to play a more prominent role in shaping global economic policy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the global economy, and the G20 has played a key role in coordinating the international response to the crisis. India’s presidency will allow it to shape the agenda and influence the direction of global economic policy, particularly with regard to issues such as debt relief, international trade, and financial stability. India’s growing economic influence is also reflected in its role in global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Trade Organization (WTO). India is a member of the G20 and has been playing an increasingly prominent role in these institutions, advocating for the interests of developing countries and pushing for reforms to make these institutions more inclusive and representative. The G20 also presents an opportunity for India to showcase its technological prowess and promote its digital agenda. India has emerged as a global leader in the tech sector, with a thriving start-up ecosystem and a large pool of tech talent. During its G20 presidency, India is likely to prioritize issues related to digital governance, cybersecurity, and the ethical use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain. India’s G20 presidency comes at a time of significant global challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical tensions, and climate change. India’s leadership of the G20 offers an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to multilateralism and to play a more prominent role in shaping the global response to these challenges. However, India’s G20 presidency also comes with significant challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the global economy, and the recovery remains fragile and uneven. India will need to work closely with other G20 members to ensure that the international response to the pandemic is effective and equitable, and that countries have access to the resources they need to recover from the crisis. India will also need to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and manage its relationship with other major powers, including China and the United States. The G20 is an important forum for dialogue and cooperation, but it is also a platform for competition and strategic manoeuvring. In conclusion, India’s G20 presidency offers an opportunity for the country to showcase its growing economic and political influence on the world stage. India has emerged as a key player in the Indo-Pacific region and has been pursuing a more assertive foreign policy that emphasizes its strategic interests and seeks to establish partnerships with other major powers. The G20 is an important forum for discussing issues of global economic importance, and India’s presidency will allow it to shape the agenda and influence the direction of global economic policy. However, India will also need to navigate significant challenges, including the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the complex geopolitical landscape. The success of India’s G20 presidency will depend on its ability to work with other G20 members and to balance its strategic interests with the broader interests of the international community.
