Tag: g20

While addressing the Foreign Ministers Session of the Second Voice of the Global South, Jaishankar underlined that India took over its G20 presidency at a time when world was facing a lot of challenges…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized that India’s initiatives during its G20 presidency, centered around the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” will persist beyond its presidency. He affirmed India’s commitment to actively pursue the vision of inclusive global growth.

“The endeavours undertaken during India’s G20 Presidency, under our theme of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’, will not end on November 30th 2023. With your support it will continue to be heard as we work to realize our vision for a world where truly no one is left behind anywhere in the world,” he said.

While addressing the Foreign Ministers Session of the Second Voice of the Global South, Jaishankar underlined that India took over its G20 presidency at a time when world was facing a lot of challenges.

He said, “India took over its G20 Presidency in the backdrop of a deep divide in the international polity, devastation caused by the Covid pandemic, increasing stresses on global food, fertilizer and energy security and an intractable debt crisis. This context made us conscious of the great responsibility of assuming the G20 Presidency.”

He added, “In fulfilling that task, India’s anchor was the Global South. Its voices inspired our priorities, fueled our efforts and galvanized a path-breaking consensus in a very diverse grouping.”

Jaishankar said that India’s G20 Presidency advocated for finding solutions from within the Global South. He said that India walked the talk by hosting the first Voice of the Global South Summit in January 2023 and added that the nations were able to hold discussions on the key concerns and priorities of the Global South.

He said, “As we took over the G20 presidency last year, Prime Minister Modi declared that and I quote “Our G20 priorities will be shaped in consultation with not just our G20 partners, but also our fellow travellers from the Global South, whose voice often goes unheard.” India has since walked the talk by hosting the first voice of the Global South Summit in January this year. By doing so, we were able to elicit and deliberate on the key concerns and priorities of the Global South. This, in turn, informed our approach to the G20 discussions throughout the year.”

The EAM noted that long-standing structural inequities have been seriously aggravated by the devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jaishankar stressed that it has turned worse due to the fuel, food and fertilizer crisis emanating from the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and its response. He stated that India is hosting the Second Voice of Global South to report on key outcomes from the New Delhi G20 Summit.

“All of us are acutely aware of the growing stress on the international economy and global society. Long-standing structural inequities have been seriously aggravated by the devastation of the COVID pandemic. This has been made worse by the fuel, food and fertilizer crisis emanating from the Ukraine conflict and its responses,” Jaishankar said.

“Resource challenges, financial constraints, disrupted trade and climate events have added to our burdens. As a result, growth prospects are as daunting as the SDG landscape is grim. It was our foremost responsibility to refocus the G20 on the pressing needs of the global South. Thanks to the ideas and inputs received from all of you, India’s G20 presidency did advocate for finding solutions from within the Global South,” he added.

Jaishankar highlighted that the New Delhi Leaders Declaration of the G20 Summit will be remembered for bringing back the G20’s focus on the “real and serious concerns of the Global South.” He said that the declaration is a comprehensive message on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

“It seeks to accelerate progress on SDGs and has come up with an action plan accordingly. It envisages a green development pact for a sustainable future. It endorses high-level principles on lifestyle for sustainable development, voluntary principles on hydrogen, the Chennai Principles for a Sustainable and Resilient Blue Economy, and the Deccan principles on food security and nutrition, amongst others,” Jaishankar said.

He stated that G20 has affirmed the fundamental importance of gender equality and committed to half the digital gender gap by 2030. Jaishankar called the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 as the most satisfying outcome of India’s G20 presidency.

He said that the Voice of the Global South can be greatly impactful by amplifying individual voices and projecting shared interests for the emerging world. He emphasised that institutions like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for the Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and the One Future Alliance serve to offer solutions from the Global South for the world’s most pressing challenges.

“While change is the natural order, that continues to be a resistance for a greater role for the Global South in shaping solutions for the key issues of our times. But together, we need to continue putting greater emphasis on the need to take everyone along and everyone’s views along while we deliberate at multilateral and plurilateral forums. The Voice of the Global South Summit can be greatly impactful by amplifying our individual voices and project our shared interests for the emerging world order,” Jaishankar said.

He said that Global South needs to work towards self-reliance to mitigate its vulnerabilities vis-a-vis economic concentrations. He noted that COVID era is a stark reminder fo the “perils of dependence for basic necessities on far away geographies.”

He added, “We need to not only democratize and diversify production but build resilient and reliable supply chains and promote local solutions. Only then can the Global South secure its future.

“Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s commitment to the Global South through an extensive range of development projects in 78 nations and stressed that these projects are “demand-driven, outcome-oriented, transparent and sustainable.” (ANI)

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Jaishankar said that he was “delighted” to host the ambassadors…reports Asian Lite News

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted the ambassadors of G20 members, guest countries and international organisations here in the national capital on Tuesday.

The event was held at the Yashobhoomi convention centre, and Jaishankar said that he was “delighted” to host the ambassadors and also expressed his gratitude towards them for their “whole-hearted support” during India’s presidency.

“Delighted to host Ambassadors of G20 members, guest countries and international organisations at Yashobhoomi convention centre today. Thanked them for their whole-hearted support during our Presidency,” posted Jaishankar on X.

The External Affairs Minister also said that the state-of-the-art Yashobhoomi convention and expo centre, like India’s G20 presidency, showcases the “capabilities of Bharat,” adding that was sure it will serve as an excellent venue for prestigious international events in the future.

“Like our G20 Presidency, this state-of-the-art convention and expo centre reflects the capabilities of Bharat. Confident it will be a great venue for prestigious international events in the times to come,” the EAM’s post added.

Yashobhoomi Centre, built with PM’s vision of having a world-class infrastructure, is among the world’s largest MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) facilities.

Following a successful G20 Summit, India passed the ceremonial gavel of the G20 presidency to Brazil on September 10.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed unwavering faith in Brazil for leading the Group of Twenty (G20) presidency with dedication and vision and has also assured all possible cooperation from Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts in conducting the G20 Summit and set forth three priorities under his country’s presidency of the grouping. These, the Brazilian President said, include social inclusion, the fight against hunger, energy transition, sustainable development and the reform of global governance institutions.

While Indonesia held the G20 presidency last year, Brazil will hold the presidency after India. (ANI)

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Lobbies abroad working in concert with forces opposed to the Modi regime at home had elevated this narrative to the level of a political ‘proxy war’ contending that the Constitution itself was being endangered by the latter, writes D.C. Pathak

The steady rise of India on the global platform expectantly helped by an extraordinarily successful G20 under India’s Presidency, the efficacy of India’s strategy of countering the mischief of Sino-Pak axis against this country and the acknowledgement worldwide of the credibility of India’s policy of building a deep friendship with the US without letting this come in the way of India’s strategic bonds with Russia – particularly in the backdrop of the ‘war in Ukraine’ – have all created a sense of desperation among those who had been building the narrative of ‘authoritarianism’, ‘majoritarianism’ and inadequate ‘safety of minorities’ over a long period against the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Lobbies abroad working in concert with forces opposed to the Modi regime at home had elevated this narrative to the level of a political ‘proxy war’ contending that the Constitution itself was being endangered by the latter. 

The ruling party no doubt had used its majority in Parliament to pass certain bills of its choice but the very fact that we have a close watch of the Supreme Court over acts of legislation – as proved by the active engagement of the apex court in scrutinising Constitutional validity of some of the decisions of the Modi government – is reason enough to have faith in Indian democracy’s strong credentials sustained by the efficacy of electoral strength of the masses here. 

It is not therefore difficult to see that anti-Modi forces and the lobbies hostile to India have stepped up their activities as the next general election is drawing close. 

Meanwhile, a sudden dip in India-Canada relations following the extraordinary statement made by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Canadian Parliament on September 18 to the effect that there were ‘credible allegations’ of involvement of ‘potential agents of Indian government’ in the killing of Khalistan protagonist – Hardeep Singh Nijjar leader of Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) – outside the Gurdwara in Surrey, British Columbia in June, cannot be completely dis-linked from the reality that an anti-India environ had been created – particularly in the Western world – by these lobbies.

There are three aspects of Trudeau’s statement – rightly dismissed by India as ‘absurd’ – that have to be taken note of. 

One is the deliberateness with which the Canadian Prime Minister made an ambiguous-looking charge against the largest democracy in the world that was run on a proven electoral system, without even giving any indication of the identity of Nijjar’s killers or throwing some light on the ‘evidence’ he had against India. 

The second is the fact that India has vigorously pursued with Canada for months before the G20 summit, the matter of inaction against the known ‘terrorists’ who were instigating violence and secessionist calls against India in the name of Khalistan, from inside Canada and who were having links with Pak ISI. 

And the last is the unavoidable conclusion – to be drawn from the plea of ‘freedom of speech’ invoked by Trudeau to cover up for a definite failure on his part to heed the serious complaints made by India – that the Canadian Prime Minister was unabashedly indulging in ‘vote bank’ politics to face an impending election. 

Apart from Nijjar’s direct role in instigating anti-India violence, the attention of Canada was drawn also to several other separatist terror groups operating out of that country whose leaders were wanted for heinous crimes committed in India. They included World Sikh Organisation (WSO), Khalistan Tiger Force (KTF), Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and Babbar Khalsa International (BKI). 

Multiple dossiers were handed over to the Canadian side but India’s deportation requests were ignored in an expression of brazen support for these elements. 

Canada should also have been taking note of the gang rivalries among Khalistani elements that resulted in some targeted killings inside that country. 

More important than what Nijjar did to ‘break’ a friendly democratic state like India, is the question as to what was Prime Minister Trudeau doing to prevent Nijjar from committing those acts from Canadian soil.

Expression of ideological or political dissent is legitimate but a call for violence to carve a ‘fundamentalist’ state out of the territory of a democratic country, is totally unacceptable. 

Trudeau clearly underestimated the seriousness of this matter from India’s point of view and adopted a myopic approach for his personal political interest – betraying an element of immaturity about handling international relations.

It is now in the public domain that Prime Minister Modi sternly conveyed India’s concerns to Trudeau over the unchecked violent anti-India activities of Khalistanis in Canada, during a ‘pull aside’ interaction – no bilateral meeting was held with the latter – and therefore the blatantness with which Canadian Prime Minister levelled a serious but vague allegation against India could be attributed to a sense of ire he might be carrying on his return from Delhi. 

It would not be wrong also to presume that somewhere Trudeau was influenced by the anti-India lobbies abroad making a hue and cry over the alleged suppression of dissent by the Modi regime and was led to believe that the plea for ‘freedom of speech’ in Canada could be invoked by him to meet the charge of ‘inaction’ levelled by India against him in the context of activities of Khalistan protagonists in Canada. 

The lack of response from the Joe Biden administration to the statement given by Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, a US-based Khalistani leader heading Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in the wake of Nijjar’s killing, asking for the ouster of Hindus from Canada, seems to prove the same point. 

The ascendancy of Indian nationalism must be respected by Western powers so long as the Indian leadership honoured the principle of ‘one man one vote’ that laid the substratum of democracy in this country and worked for ‘development for all’. 

Nationalism strengthens a democratic state against divisive forces and works for the sovereignty and integrity of India provided there was no injection of religion into politics and any approach of appeasement or special ‘political’ treatment of any community was avoided.

India has responded to Trudeau’s statement with indignation, terse reciprocity and counter-charge of his failure to act on the details furnished to Canada on Nijjar’s violent anti-India activities. 

There is talk in some diplomatic circles of Canada and the US that Trudeau had shared some information on Nijjar’s killing prejudicial to India, with the Intelligence-5 group comprising the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and New Zealand. 

In a neutral-sounding stand, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken has advocated that Canada should take the matter to its logical conclusion and that India should cooperate with the enquiry. 

India maintains that Canada had not shared any information with it on Nijjar’s case.

In all of this what comes out in bold relief is that Canada and its allies were totally disregardful of the serious national security concerns voiced by India over the violent activities of Khalistan protagonists operating from their soil which were designed to damage the sovereignty of a friendly democracy. This is clearly unacceptable for a rising world power like India which worked through G20 for the global mission of making the world secure and prosperous. 

The least that the US could do is to be even-handed in disapproving of Khalistan separatism while calling for a transparent probe by Canada in Nijjar’s killing. 

Geopolitically, India has stood by the US in leading the democratic world against dictatorial regimes like China and it would be advisable for American policymakers to realise the value of bilateral interests – both security-related and economic – that strategic friendship with India would serve within Quad and outside. 

Pentagon’s traditional bonhomie with Pak Generals should not lead to the US ignoring the dangerous game Pakistan was playing in cohort with China to weaken India by instigating separatism and terrorism in Kashmir and Punjab with the help of its hired agents outside India and within. 

India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has done well to caution the Western powers not to practise any ‘double standards’ towards India on serious matters of national security.

Attempts to revive Khalistan terror in India are totally deplorable and call for all steps to handle them diplomatically, legally and through counter- Intelligence operations on our own territory. 

Intelligence agencies of India have the tradition of confining themselves to collecting ‘information’ which would become the basis of ‘action’ by the concerned authorities within legal parameters including recourse to repatriation or deportation in suitable cases. 

India has drawn lessons from the spell of terror that Punjab was made to face in the latter Eighties and can clearly see through the ‘modus operandi’ of its adversaries out to revive the trouble in this border state. 

The violent activities of Khalistanis abroad with their communal overtones are aimed at injecting militancy in Punjab and direct attacks on Hindu temples and diplomatic establishments in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia are meant to sow the seeds of communal divide in the sensitive state. 

A close vigil in Punjab hopefully would help to nip the trouble in the bud and prevent any targeted attacks, use of IEDs and further indoctrination for recruitment of militants. 

The Centre has to think of putting Punjab in the care of a senior civilian of national security background with knowledge of the history of Khalistan terror in the state and the ability to educate the state government on how not to let politics come in the way of security measures and on how to promote and maintain communal harmony as a bulwark against separatism.

Punjab has the pride of place in safeguarding national security as well as the economy and can be kept protected against the activities of a few mischief makers operating from foreign soil. 

What makes things favourable for India is that today this country represents the sane voice of the world on matters of both global security and universal economic advancement.

It is the success of G20 under India’s Presidency that has given this advantage to India in a definitive way by creating a consensus against terrorism, narcotics trade and human trafficking and facilitating an unparalleled global outreach for India. 

All aspects of human existence were touched upon- from vaccination and protection of developing nations from induced debt traps to climate change under the call of ‘Vasudhava Kutumbakam’(one earth one family) and what is even more remarkable, the world was exposed to the versatility of Indian civilisation, art &craft and scientific skills. 

India did emerge as the undisputed leader of the Global South not only by bringing in the African Union as the new member of G20 but also by holding an extremely successful South Summit as an integral part of the G20 agenda.

G20’s success will help to counter anti-India lobbies as India steps up its campaign against those behind separatism in Punjab and Kashmir, exposes the doings of the Sino-Pak axis against India and calls out the elements promoting anti-India narratives as part of ‘politics by proxy’ against the Modi government. 

Pak ISI is presently focusing on instigating trouble in Punjab because of the containment of cross-border terrorism in Kashmir in the period following the abrogation of Art 370 in 2019 – this is a replay of its K2 plan of the past in which it had opened a new front in Kashmir in the Nineties by raising the war cry of Jehad in replacement of slogans of Plebiscite and Azadi when terrorism in Punjab was firmly controlled and defanged. 

An integral view of India’s security scenario that put together geopolitical developments that were already signalling a new Cold War on the horizon, the efficacy of multilateralism in giving shape to India’s strategy and the acknowledged rise of India as a global voice on issues of war and peace, should give our policy-makers the right and the strength to show India’s detractors their place and counter their hostile plans against this country.

(The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal)

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Hailing the 18th G20 summit, Mishra emphasised that India delivered impactful outcomes, which are being reviewed very closely to turn them into reality…reports Asian Lite News

At a high-level meeting with G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra and Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary Ajay Seth, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Principal Secretary, Dr PK Mishra, reviewed the follow-up on the outcome of the G20 Leaders Summit hosted by India this year in New Delhi, an official statement informed.

Hailing the 18th G20 summit, Mishra emphasised that India delivered impactful outcomes, which are being reviewed very closely to turn them into reality.

“G-20 Summit was not a one-time affair and the Indian Presidency has delivered solid outcomes which are being followed up and monitored closely. All concerned Ministries leading various Working Groups are being tasked to implement their sector-specific outcomes. A high-level monitoring group is also being set up,” he said.

The official release said during the meeting, Mishra asked officials to prepare for the G20 Virtual Summit, which was announced by Prime Minister Modi while making his concluding remarks at the New Delhi summit.

The G20 Secretariat, Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), and Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) all are working closely to deliver on the virtual G20, the statement informed further.

He also directed all ministries to focus on the deliverables including those from the declaration and earlier ministerial/working group meetings. He asked the ministries to conduct webinars with stakeholders and involve state governments and think tanks in this process.

Highlighting the inclusion of the African Union under India’s G20 presidency, Mishra said, “Our support for the African Union in particular and the global south in general is something that we should continue in all our actions. He said that we need to prepare an action plan for outreach to the Africa Union.”

Prime Minister Modi, in his closing remarks at Session Three of the G20 Summit, revealed that India will be hosting a virtual meet this year in November in a bid to track the progress of proposals submitted and suggestions discussed at the summit by the G20 member nations.

“As you all know India has the responsibility of G20 Presidency till November. Two and a half months are still left. In two days you (the leaders) have shared your thoughts, opinions, suggestions and proposals…It is our responsibility to review the suggestions that have been shared (by different countries) and track the status of the proposals submitted. It is my suggestion that we keep another virtual session of G20 Summit in the end of November,” PM Modi had said in his closing remarks at the G20. (ANI)

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US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever…reports Asian Lite News

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Tuesday said India has demonstrated the most successful G20 ever. “India’s marvellous growth, its rapid rise, its leadership in the world today has demonstrated the most successful G20 we have ever seen,” the US Ambassador said.

Garcetti was addressing the 20th Indo-US Economic Summit “Sharing ideas & Potential for sustainable partnership between India and the US for the next 25 years” organized by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC).

Garcetti while speaking on India-US ties, said: “The goal that we should be establishing, I think, together, is, how can we be more ambitious. Not just settle for another deal, not just settle for, as we’ve done just in the last few months, bringing down the retaliatory tariffs and the trade disputes between our countries. That’s not good enough. I think we need to close our eyes and dream of what this relationship can be like even more than we would imagine today. “

The US Ambassador congratulated India on ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission.

He said: “Congratulations on a marvellous space year here in India. Landing on the dark side of the moon, doing something that only four nations have done before and doing it so beautifully, so reasonably and so successfully. But now we’re looking at commercial space together.”

The US Ambassador on Tuesday reiterated that the United States cares deeply about its relationship with both India and Canada.

His comments come amidst heightened tensions between India and Canada after Canadian PM Justin Trudeau alleged that there was an Indian hand behind the killing of Khalistani operative Hardeep Nijjar.

“We care about both countries, and we care about their relationship. Our relationship is rock solid with both of them. And I think that all of us need to make sure that we can come together as countries that take seriously sovereignty, take seriously security, and take seriously the potential of our relationship,” the US Ambassador said.

Jaishankar holds talks with UN Chief

Meanwhile, India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday (local time) met United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres at UN Headquarters in New York.

Jaishankar and Guterres discussed how India’s G20 Presidency has contributed to strengthening the UN’s sustainable development agenda.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, Jaishankar stated, “Pleasure to meet with UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres at UN Headquarters. Discussed how India’s G20 Presidency has contributed to strengthening @UN’s sustainable development agenda. We have coordinated closely in this regard over the last year. Appreciate UNSG’s strong commitment to reforming International Financial Institutions.”

India hosted the recently concluded G20 Summit in Delhi on September 9-10. The mega G20 Summit was held at Bharat Mandapam in the national capital.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar held a meeting with United Nations General Assembly President Dennis Francis. Jaishankar and Francis agreed on the importance of reforming multilateralism and giving the Global South its due on crucial issues that exist in today’s time.

Taking to X, Jaishankar stated, “Began the morning by meeting @UN_PGA Dennis Francis at UN Headquarters. Welcomed his appreciation of the outcomes of India’s G20 Presidency. Confident that it would contribute to the UN General Assembly’s discourse and deliberations. Agreed on the importance of reforming multilateralism and giving the Global South its due on crucial issues of our times.”

After meeting Jaishankar, the UNGA president said the meeting focussed on key issues and priorities, including the UNSC reforms.

Francis on X posted, “Delighted to meet External Affairs Minister of India, H.E. @DrSJaishankar. Congratulated India’s successful #G20 Chairmanship, especially on India’s unwavering advocacy in support of the Global South. Discussed #UNGA78 priorities and key issues, including UNSC reform and building on the outcomes of the #SDGSummit ahead of the Summit of the Future.”

EAM Jaishankar also met Madagascar counterpart Yvette Sylla. The two leaders discussed development partnership, millets and rice production, digital delivery and defence cooperation.

In a post shared on X, Jaishankar stated, “A warm meeting with our SAGAR partner, FM of Madagascar, Yvette Sylla today. Discussed development partnership, millets and rice production, digital delivery and defense cooperation.”

Madagascar is a SAGAR partner of India. Launched in 2020, Mission SAGAR is a global initiative along the lines of the Sagar doctrine. India launched this mission to provide relief aid to Indian Ocean countries following the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative covers Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, and Seychelles.

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