India wants to use the presidency of the G20 group of leading industrial and emerging countries to reshape globalization. The world community must work together on a paradigm shift and put people first, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday at the start of India’s presidency of the G20. India wants to encourage a sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle.
The global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products must be “depoliticized” so that geopolitical tensions do not lead to humanitarian crises. According to Modi, the “most powerful countries” should be encouraged to have “honest conversations” about reducing the risks of weapons of mass destruction and about more global security. Representatives of the Global South, “whose voice is often not heard”, would also be included in the G20 consultations.
India officially took over the presidency of the G20 from Indonesia on 1 December. According to Modi, India’s G20 agenda will be “inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and determined”. The motto is: “One land, one family, one future”. Modi emphasized that the means now exist to produce enough to meet the basic needs of everyone in the world. “Our time doesn’t need to be marked by war. In fact, it shouldn’t be”, emphasized the prime minister of India. The biggest challenges – climate change, terrorism and pandemics – could only be solved by acting together.
The G20 includes the European Union and the strongest economies from all continents: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Germany, France, Great Britain, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Africa South Korea, Turkey and USA. According to the group, it generates more than 80% of the global gross domestic product, 75% of global trade and represents about 60% of the world’s population. The next G20 summit is scheduled for September 9-10 in New Delhi.