G20 summit will help cement India's position on world stage

The real test lies in re-energising the soul of all G20 members as per India's strategic aims as against being limited to physical parameters and rituals.

- ASHOK KUMAR

G20 is one of the most important groupings in the world representing approximately 85% of the world's GDP, more than 70% of the global trade as well as covers more than 65% of the world's population. It will not be an exaggeration to state that bulk of the world is covered in terms of GDP, trade and population, leaving aside bulk of African countries.

Conceived and started in 1999 to address the economic concerns of Asian nations, it encompasses 19 countries to include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA) to take the count to 19 and reaches 20 to include European Union as its member.

Having been started at the ministerial level in 1999, it has been upgraded to be attended by the heads of the states which clearly indicates the growing clout of this group, the world over. The presidency of G20 grouping is on rotational basis wherein India has been the current President having started the tenure on 1 December 22 and will continue till 30 November 23 when the baton will pass to another country.