'The China-plus-one thinking is old news; it's now India-only'

The G20 Summit happened at the right time, in the right place, under the right leader, Union minister of commerce and industry, food and public distribution, and textiles Piyush Goyal told Rajeev Jayaswal, adding that the multilateral forum has established India in a leadership position where the global community’s confidence on the country’s supply chain resilience has changed from “China-plus-one” to “India only”. Edited excerpts:

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How do you see the G20 India Presidency, the Delhi Declaration, and the Leaders’ Summit held in the Capital on September 9-10? 

If I have to sum it up in just one world, I would say: “Trust”. The unanimity in the prevailing geopolitical situation at the Leaders’ Summit was absolutely unprecedented. It reflected the trust of all G20 countries on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and on 140 crore Indians. Prime Minister Modi united all members at a time when they held divergent views on geopolitical matters. Due to efforts of Modi ji, the theme of India’s G20 Presidency -- “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth, One Family, One Future” was actually realised. The G20 India Presidency happened at the right time, right place, under the right leader, who believed in multilateralism and inclusiveness. Prime Minister Modi also took India to greater heights. And from the most popular leader of India, he became a popular leader of the world today.

How did the G20 India presidency help India’s economic diplomacy, trade, and investments? 

The G20 has demonstrated India’s emergence on the world stage -- as a nation that provides leadership of vision, leadership that is sensitive and cares for the world, leadership that can be trusted, and leadership that can take along very divergent view points and build consensus for the good of all of humanity. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made every Indian, 140 crore Indians, proud of their achievements. He made 140 crore Indian recognise their own strengths, which will hold us in good stead. It will help us in this Amrit Kaal (the 25 years leading to 100 years of India’s independence in 2047) to lead the world to the more sustainable future.