In next year’s Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Modi’s global reputation will bring potential benefits for the BJP.
The G20 summit being held in Delhi is opening up avenues for cooperation and development in various sectors worldwide.
Meanwhile, it is also expected to have a far-reaching impact on India and its politics—particularly, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global reputation will bring potential benefits for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party. Pakistan and China will also remain under global scrutiny, and India can exert influence against their activities. India’s role on the global stage is consistently increasing, and its relationship with the United States is one of the consequential ties. Countries from US, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa have come to an understanding with India for programs related to peace, environmental conservation, healthcare, and human welfare.
PM Modi, while mentioning Mahatma Gandhi, emphasized the importance of following his mission of serving the marginalized and the last person in society. He also highlighted the need to align India’s focus with a human-centric approach to progress. Modi said, “We aim to accelerate progress in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continuously for the future, and strengthen the progress of the Green Development Agreement. We want to fortify multilateral institutions for the 21st century. We give top priority to future sectors like technological transformation and digital public infrastructure.
We will work collectively for gender equality, women empowerment, and global peace. In a divided world, where India must play a leading role, leaving a lasting imprint is also a fundamental objective. Simultaneously, it is India’s responsibility to advance the concerns of developing nations and prioritize their issues.”
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who takes pride in his Hindu faith, also mentioned that he would not tolerate extremism. Regarding India’s theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” for the G-20 summit, Sunak said, “I think it’s a fantastic theme. When you say ‘one family,’ I am an example of that incredible living bridge, as described by Prime Minister Modi, between the UK and India – with almost two million people of Indian origin in the UK. So, as British Prime Minister, it’s incredibly special for me to be in a country where my family comes from.” His message holds significance not only for India, but also for the opposition parties in India.
Sunak said, “The G-20 has been a significant success for India. India is the right country at the right time to host it. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak expressed, “Both Prime Minister Modi and I want to see a comprehensive and ambitious trade agreement between our two countries. Trade deals always take time; they require hard work for both countries. While we have made significant progress, there is still hard work ahead.” On the issue of Khalistan, Sunak stated, “This is indeed an important question, and I want to be clear that any form of extremism or violence is not acceptable in the UK. That’s why we are working closely with the Indian government, especially to deal with ‘PKE’ Khalistani extremist supporters.”
He said, “Our security ministers have recently been in touch with their counterparts in India. We have intelligence and collaborative groups for sharing information to jointly work against this kind of violent extremism. It is not acceptable, and I will not tolerate it in the UK.”
Regionally and globally, India is the leading country in South Asia. Because of this, it is India’s responsibility to advance the interests of other countries in South Asia that are not part of the G20. India’s name is resonating worldwide, and not only India but the entire world also needs India. In this context, confirming India’s growing stature on the global stage is a significant responsibility in domestic environments. India, with its full strength, is leading the top 20 countries in the world.
The world’s hope in India, particularly regarding discussions on climate change and sustainable development, is something India is actively addressing. This year, due to climate change, several Indian states such as Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have suffered severe devastation, resulting in significant loss of life and property. Besides India, many other countries are also bearing the brunt of climate change. India’s focus is centered on the need to provide financial and technological assistance to developing countries to help them achieve their climate goals.
Half of the world’s population lacks digital facilities, and India is a major player in the digital economy. During the summit, there was a strong emphasis on greater cooperation among member countries in the field of technology and digital economy with India. India can also benefit others by sharing its expertise in inclusive digital revolution through initiatives like Jan Dhan-Aadhar-Mobile (JAM) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) payment system.
India has been independent for 76 years, during which the country has achieved numerous milestones. India ranks in the top 5 in several sectors, top 3 in many, and even at the top in some areas. However, despite these achievements, India is often categorized among developing nations. Hence, the G20 is a forum where India can showcase its excellence more effectively and highlight its potential on a global stage.
PM Modi’s goal is that when the country celebrates 100 years of independence in 2047, India will be a developed nation. It is important to convey to the world that India is fully prepared to become a global leader. India has demonstrated time and again that, despite limited resources, it can achieve what many developed countries struggle to accomplish. Whether it’s missions like Mangalyaan, protecting 140 crore citizens during a pandemic like Covid-19, or endeavours like Chandrayaan-3, India has shown its capabilities in various domains. If other countries collaborate with India, the progress of human society and the preservation of the Earth can be accelerated.
The successful hosting of the G20 summit in India was marked by a lack of any scandals or controversies. India also promoted tourism during the event. Separate meetings were held with the Culture Ministers of these countries. Various working groups, including those related to tourism and finance, conducted discussions. India built its most high-tech convention center in Delhi, spanning 123 acres, named “ Bharat Mandapam,” inspired by Karnataka’s Bhagwan Basaveshwara, and featuring a statue of Nataraja, the principal deity of the Chidambaram Temple in Tamil Nadu. The construction of this complex, built at a cost of Rs 2,700 crore, proceeded without any allegations of corruption. PM Modi honoured the laborers involved in the construction. Notably, there were no reports of any significant issues faced by the labourers. What’s significant is that during the Commonwealth Games, which had tarnished the country’s image, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland is now praising India during the G20 summit. She believes that this will help address global challenges. Furthermore, she praised ISRO’s “Chandrayaan-3” and “Aditya L1” missions. She also expressed keen interest in India’s digital revolution, stating that India is achieving unprecedented success in this regard.
When any country hosts an international event, it is an opportunity to showcase its strength, promote its culture, and highlight its ongoing welfare programs to the world. PM Modi had made it clear from the beginning that India’s G20 chairmanship would be used to promote the idea of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.” India counted green development and women-led development among its top priorities during its G20 chairmanship. India does not concern itself with the unnecessary grievances of its neighbouring countries, China and Pakistan. The unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the country are non-negotiable. India neither suppresses nor bows down; it continues to follow its path. They have upheld this commitment even in the G20 context, emphasizing the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”– the world is one family.
The writer is editorial director of ITV Network-India News and Dainik Aaj Samaj.