India’s capital, New Delhi, is undergoing a complete transformation in preparation for the upcoming G20 summit. The G20, comprised of 19 countries and the European Union, is a forum for international economic cooperation. With members representing a significant portion of global GDP, trade, and population, achieving cooperation within this group would wield considerable influence.
Established in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis, the G20 initially focused on macroeconomic issues but has since broadened its agenda to include trade, sustainable development, health, agriculture, energy, environment, climate change, and anti-corruption. As tensions rise between western powers and emerging economies, one man stands out for his ability to bridge the divide: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Modi has managed to maintain a strong bond with the United States while actively engaging with the BRICS countries, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. His recent phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin showcased the growing partnership between the two nations. Russia, a major oil supplier to India, will be sending its Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to the G20 summit.
Modi’s relationship with Chinese leader Xi Jinping is also garnering attention after their bilateral meeting at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg. There are hopes that this meeting signals a desire to revive a financial relationship that was strained by border tensions in 2020. The G20 summit may provide an opportunity for further developments in this regard, as Modi has made it clear that normalized political ties are essential for deepening the financial relationship with China.
Preparations for the arrival of the world’s political figures are well underway in India. Around 3,500 hotel rooms have been booked across various hotels in Delhi to accommodate the VVIP delegates attending the summit. More than 10,000 hospitality professionals have been tasked with serving the delegates in 30 prominent hotels.
With such a high-profile event, security is paramount. India is taking extra precautions, utilizing covert “House Intervention Teams” or HIT squads placed inside all hotels hosting G20 guests. These squads, composed of commandos from the National Security Guard and Delhi Police, are equipped with the necessary skills to neutralize threats in confined spaces and rescue hostages if required.
While the specific agendas of each leader attending the summit are difficult to track, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is of particular interest as he negotiates a UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India. However, he faces criticism for lack of transparency regarding his wife’s financial interests in Infosys, an IT services and consultancy company that could benefit from the agreement. There are calls for Sunak to recuse himself from the trade negotiations altogether.
Other countries, such as South Korea, are also looking to expand their reach through the G20 summit. Speculation is growing over a potential summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Additionally, there are reports of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida seeking a summit with Xi during the G20 summit. These developments may signify a shift in South Korea’s foreign policy towards the US over China.
From China’s perspective, the recent Camp David summit between South Korea, Japan, and the US indicates a tilt in South Korea’s foreign policy towards the US rather than China. If a summit between China and Japan were to take place at the G20 summit, it would increase the likelihood of a summit between China and South Korea during the event.
In conclusion, New Delhi is preparing for the G20 summit with great enthusiasm. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ability to navigate diplomatic relationships and maintain bonds with both the US and the BRICS countries is crucial for fostering cooperation within the G20. As world leaders gather, the focus will be on achieving economic cooperation and addressing pressing global issues.
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