The 2023 G20 Summit…
Today is the 12th of September. We find ourselves transitioning away from recent months marked by intermittent summer sunshine and moments of tranquillity. Yet, for political leaders, there is little respite as we approach the culmination of the season with the latest G20 summit.
The origins of the G20 summit can be traced back to 1999, as a response to the havoc wreaked by the Asian financial crisis. Its primary objective was to mitigate future economic instability, foster international cooperation, and build trust among nations. Since its inception, the G20 has been a platform dedicated to addressing the economic and political challenges confronting its member states while shaping the global policy agenda. Notably, these 20 member nations collectively account for 75% of global trade and 85% of the world’s economic output, commanding the attention of the international community as we await the prioritisation of critical issues in the upcoming round of international deliberations.
This year India assumed the presidency of the G20, and it is evident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi achieved several of his strategic objectives. These include establishing a clear distinction from China, strengthening ties with the United States, and bolstering his domestic popularity in anticipation of the Indian general election. These goals were underscored by a newfound emphasis on more efficient trade routes to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The summit presented Modi with an opportunity to assert India’s international prominence as a potential successor to the long-standing command America held over the other G20 nations.
Several factors make India’s leadership role seem natural. India is renowned as the world’s largest liberal democracy, answering to a population exceeding one billion. Consequently, it is only logical to view India as a potential counterbalance to China amid strained Sino-American relations. Data from the International Monetary Fund ( IMF) paints India as a rising star, characterised by a surging GDP, buoyed by a steadily increasing population. This economic growth stands in stark contrast to China’s purported downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic. The G20 summit provided Modi with an ideal platform to showcase these economic achievements, not merely as a demonstration of geopolitical strength, but also as an assertion of leadership and independence from Western expectations.
While India seeks to project a welcoming image to the world with its rich tapestry of spices, bustling streets and vibrant colours, the reality behind the scenes is less rosy. In preparation for the G20 summit, thousands of residents in the capital were forcibly displaced from their homes, their dwellings bulldozed to beautify and sanitise the streets before the global spotlight turned to India’s domestic affairs. This paints Modi’s adeptness as a skilled choreographer, orchestrating moves that bolster his domestic dominance, magnifying his competence on the global stage. Amidst the comedic speeches, diplomatic pleasantries and cultural celebrations, the fragility of Modi’s leadership remains palpable - particularly to those who have been affected by the fractious politics under the reign of the Bharatiya Janata Party ( BJP).
Amid these conflicting narratives, undeniable facts emerge in spite of Modi’s reliance on political smoke screens and diplomatic manoeuvres. One such contentious issue is Modi’s radio silence as Russia initiated a full-scale military invasion of democratic Ukrainian territory in 2021. This silence raises questions about India’s true intentions in the international arena. Modi framed this stance as one of neutrality, signalling a departure from Sino-Indian diplomacy and a shift toward geostrategic independence. However, the success of this endeavour remains limited.
While India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy, it grapples with significant challenges, including insufficient job creation and the premature formalisation of its industry-driven sectors. Unregulated infrastructure and widening income inequality underscore the discrepancies in the government’s agenda. Politically, India’s future seems challenged, with deep-seated ethnoreligious divisions exacerbated by illiberal Hindu majoritarianism, which seeks to stifle the media and erode essential checks and balances. Minority communities continue to face constitutional disadvantages, with many marginalised economically; in particular female labourers.
While newspaper headlines may spotlight the glitz and glamour of India’s elite, the reality paints a different picture. Hindu nationalism, staunch anti-China policies, and entrenched corruption continue to uphold the facade of progress India often presents. Since gaining independence in 1947, India has used its democratic posture as a beacon for international acceptance, but maintaining this double life may prove increasingly challenging. Economic success may have positioned India as a star on the global stage, but at what cost? It is undeniable that Western support for Modi's government has reshaped Asia's posture in the international arena, but shared interests do not necessarily equate to shared values, as noted by Foreign Affairs' Daniel Markey.
