India’s G20 presidency is a watershed moment, with the country helping shape a number of global issues. Among them are the reform of multilateral development banks, the inclusion of the African Union and the focus on climate action. As the central figure taking forward the G20 this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully ensured that India plays a pivotal role in addressing the concerns of the Global South
In an exclusive interview in Business Today magazine’s G20 special issue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the opportunity India has at G20 to help address areas of global concern. In an over 40-minute-long interaction with Business Today Editors Rahul Kanwal, Sourav Majumdar and Siddharth Zarabi at his office in 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi, PM Modi spoke about focal points of India’s G20 Presidency ahead of the G20 Leaders’ Summit
PM Narendra Modi said, “The extent of participation in our G20 presidency has been unprecedented and the openness of participants has been unparalleled. I am confident that this will lead to success, enabled by the contributions of all countries. India and India’s G20 will act as a catalytic agent for the new global order. old positions, giving way to new perspectives. Developed countries and developing countries will come together for the first time and find solutions to global problems. We have laid the foundation for inclusivity by inviting the African Union.”
"The G20 group is being looked at as a ray of hope by the world and the ground for this is being laid during India’s presidency of G20. The work that has happened and the outcomes expected are all futuristic. This G20 is reflecting the voice and concerns of the Global South. This G20 is giving momentum to women-led development. When technology is going to play a big role in the future, this G20 is taking huge leaps in the fields of AI and DPI [digital public infrastructure],” PM Modi told Business Today
“I feel deeply for the countries of the Global South. It is my firm belief that we need to give importance to the developing world if we have to make progress on the global development agenda. If we give them a place of pride, listen to them, understand their priorities, they have the capacity and capability to contribute to global good,” PM Modi told Business Today Editors Rahul Kanwal, Sourav Majumdar and Siddharth Zarabi
PM Modi told BT, “If we do not include developing countries, how can we realise Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam? How can there be One Earth, One Family, One Future? During our presidency of the G20, we have taken the initiative to seek a permanent seat for the African Union in the G20, and we believe that our proposal will enjoy the support of other G20 members.”
“A divided world cannot fight a common challenge. That is why our approach during our G20 presidency and otherwise has been on unifying the world on this issue for what can be done. The poor and the planet, both need to be helped. India is moving ahead on this with not only a positive attitude but also a mindset of driving solutions. Our initiative of ‘One World, One Sun, One Grid’ was a similar positive initiative,” said PM Modi
PM Modi emphasised the need for climate finance. He said, “Our presidency prioritises resource mobilisation for climate finance, tailoring support for transitions to individual country needs. Acknowledging the need for innovative green technologies, we emphasise financial solutions, policies, and incentives to spur private investment in the development and deployment of low-carbon solutions.”
“Under its G20 presidency, India advocates for a diverse global policy palette on transition, allowing countries to select from various pricing and non-pricing strategies, from carbon taxes to green technology standards, based on their unique situations,” PM Modi told BT
During the exclusive interaction with Business Today, PM Modi said, “India’s experience has been that true transformation only comes from mass movements, from people’s participation. Our Mission LiFE seeks to make the fight against climate change a mass movement by focussing on lifestyle transformation. When every individual knows that they can make a direct difference to the welfare of the planet, results will be much more broad-based.”