General Studies Paper 2

Introduction

• Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — these two words capture a deep philosophy. It means ‘the world is one family’. During India’s G-20 Presidency, this has translated into a call for human-centric progress.

The post pandemic world

• The post-pandemic world order is very different from the world before it. There are three important changes, among others.
• First, there is a growing realisation that a shift away from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric view is needed.
• Second, the world is recognising the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains.
• Third, there is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions.

G-20 Presidency

• Our G-20 Presidency has played the role of a catalyst in these shifts.
• In December 2022, when we took over the Presidency from Indonesia. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalised aspirations of developing countries, the Global South, and Africa.
• The Voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our Presidency.
• It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South.
• Further, our Presidency has not only seen the largest-ever participation from African countries but has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G-20.
• The G-20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will spearhead the future direction of the G-20 towards implementing SDGs.
• We believe there is a need to move away from a purely restrictive attitude of what should not be done, to a more constructive attitude focusing on what can be done to fight climate change.
• The Chennai High Level Principles (HLPs) for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy focus on keeping our oceans healthy.
• A global ecosystem for clean and green hydrogen will emerge from our Presidency, along with a Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre.

Global Biofuels Alliance

• In 2015, we launched the International Solar Alliance. Now, through the Global Biofuels Alliance, we will support the world to enable energy transitions in tune with the benefits of a circular economy.
• Just like Yoga became a global mass movement for wellness, we have also nudged the world with Lifestyles for Sustainable Environment (LiFE).
• Due to the impact of climate change, ensuring food and nutritional security will be crucial. Millets, or Shree Anna, can help with this while also boosting climate-smart agriculture.
• In the International Year of Millets, we have taken millets to global palates. The Deccan High Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition is also helpful in this direction.
• Technology is transformative, but it also needs to be made inclusive. In the past, the benefits of technological advancements have not benefited all sections of society equally.
• For instance, the billions across the world that remain unbanked, or lack digital identities, can be financially included through digital public infrastructure (DPI).

Significance of G-20 Summit in India

• Our G-20 Presidency is working on bridging the gender digital divide, reducing labour force participation gaps and enabling a larger role for women in leadership and decision-making.
• For India, the G-20 Presidency is not merely a high-level diplomatic endeavour. As the Mother of Democracy and a model of diversity, we opened the doors of this experience to the world.
• The G-20 Presidency has become a people-driven movement. Over 200 meetings will have been organised in 60 Indian cities across the length and breadth of our nation.
• Our G-20 Presidency strives to bridge divides, dismantle barriers, and sow seeds of collaboration that nourish a world where unity prevails over discord, where shared destiny eclipses isolation.

Conclusion

• As the G-20 President, we had pledged to make the global table larger, ensuring that every voice is heard and every country contributes. We have matched our pledge with actions and outcomes.