INDIA'S MOMENT

AS PRESIDENT OF THE MOST POWERFUL GROUPING OF NATIONS, INDIA CAN PILOT CONSENSUS ON KEY GLOBAL CONCERNS AND EMERGE AS A WORLD LEADER

- RAJ CHENGAPPA

The gavel of the G20 (Group of Twenty) presidency that was handed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bali summit in mid November may appear diminutive. But the size belies the enormous responsibilities that come with it. On December 1, when India formally assumed charge of the G20, its member nations represented 60 per cent of the world’s population but, more importantly, accounted for 85 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of international trade. Since its inception in 1999, the G20 has emerged as the world’s most powerful international forum for major economic issues and, recently, for geopolitical concerns too. Coincidentally, India will assume the presidency of the all-powerful United Nations Security Council too in December for a month. It will also be chairing the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), the world’s largest regional forum, till September 2023. It is truly India’s moment on the world stage.

"The onus of creating a new order for the post-Covid period lies on our shoulders. I want to assure you that India’s G20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented. Together, we will make G20 a catalyst for global change - NARENDRA MODI Prime Minister of India"