is dependent on three factors: it has to be action-oriented and inclusive, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated, with the political narrative of India’s development story being an important element; the priorities and issue notes India has spelt out, and the organisation of G20 events in a distinct manner—across all states. Kant was speak-ing at the roundtable discussion on India’s presidency of the G20, the progress made and how it can be made more effective, at the India Today Conclave 2023. The roundtable was attended by ambassadors of various nations,—one earth, one family, one future—as the theme for its year of G20 presidency. He expressed hope that amid challenging times—conflict, recession and a looming debt crisis confronting many nations—world leaders who will meet in New Delhi on September 9-10 for the G20 leaders’ summit will focus on inclusive and sustainable growth. India’s G20 Sherpa spoke about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals on education, health and food security and their importance for the Global South. He pointed out that in the G20 meetings of finance ministers and central bank governors, there was full consensus on all economic, finance and developmental issues. However, he said that the Ukraine conflict—the ‘elephant in the room’ as it was referred to by several participants—is external to the G20 and its mandate. Opinion was divided on the issue. While German ambassador Philipp Ackermann and Australian high commissioner Barry R. O’Farrell hoped the issue would be positively tackled in September’s declaration, Israeli ambassador Naor Gilon said India could use its good ties with Russia for a positive outcome. However, VIF director Arvind Gupta echoed Kant and said G20 wasn’t the right forum for the conflict, and foreign policy expert C. Raja Mohan said G20 was itself under huge pressure and even a statement on Ukraine wouldn’t make a difference. All foreign dignitaries expressed admiration at India’s ongoing presidency and acknowledged its leadership in the digital empowerment of the masses.
