G20: African Union Becomes Full Member

G20: African Union Becomes Full Member

In a landmark development, the African Union was made a full member of the Group of Twenty under India’s presidency of the G20.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his inaugural address of the first session of the Global Leaders’ Summit, announced that the African Union has been made a full member of the G20 on Saturday.

“Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South,” wrote PM Modi on X.

In his opening remarks at the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi invited the AU, represented by Chairperson Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.

“With everyone’s approval, I request the AU head to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” Modi said in his address.

Following PM Modi’s announcement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accosted the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.

Adding the African Union as a member of G20 was among India’s key aims to achieve during the ongoing G20 summit. African Union is a continental union consisting of 55 member states located on the continent of Africa.

The move to include the African Union in the G20 grouping was proposed by PM Modi earlier this June.

“Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time,” PM Modi said in his inaugural address.

In June 2023, Prime Minister Modi said that he had written to G20 counterparts to provide the African Union with full membership at this G20 Summit. PM Modi had proposed that AU be given full membership on their request.

In a recent editorial that has been published in newspapers, PM Modi wrote “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 G20.”

Prior to the first session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi welcomed the global leaders at the G20 venue, Pragati Maidan’s Bharat Mandapam. It was an occasion of all hugs and handshakes.

Later, PM Modi addressed the inauguration of the first G20 Leaders’ session, where he welcomed AU to join G20.

“Before we start the proceedings of G20, I want to express my condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time, PM Modi said in his inaugural address.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called upon the international community to transform the global trust deficit into one of trust and reliance. He stressed that it is time for the world to move together. 

In his address at Session-1 on ‘One Earth’ during the G20 Summit being hosted under India’s Presidency, PM Modi said, “Following the COVID pandemic, the world faced a new challenge of trust deficit and unfortunately, the wars have further deepened this. But we must remember that if we can defeat a pandemic like COVID, we can also win over the challenge of this trust deficit. Today, as the President of the G20, India calls upon the entire world to transform this global trust deficit into trust and confidence. This is the time for all of us to move together.”

He further said, “In this time, the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas’ can be the torch bearer for us. Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solid solution to this for future generations.”

PM Modi also invited the head of the African Union to take his seat as a member of the G20 as the first session of the Summit started in Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan. Following this President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani took his seat as the Union and became a permanent member of the G20.

Before the start of the proceedings of the G20 Summit, PM Modi offered condolences over the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. PM Modi said, “We pray that all injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.”

Before the G20 Summit commenced, PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Rishi Sunak, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. 

As the leaders arrived one by one, they were greeted by PM Modi, in the backdrop showcased the Konark Wheel from Odisha. The Konark wheel was built during the 13th century under the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I. The wheel with 24 spokes has been adapted into India’s national flag embodying India’s ancient wisdom, advanced civilisation, and architectural excellence.

The rotating motion of the Konark Wheel, symbolizes time, Kalachakra as well as progress and continuous change. It serves as a powerful symbol of the wheel of democracy that reflects the resilience of democratic ideals, and commitment to progress in society.

The theme of this year’s G20 Summit, which is taking place under India’s presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future.” Notably, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1 last year. (ANI)  

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India-Middle East-Europe modi announment g20

India-Middle East-Europe Mega Corridor Deal Announced

India, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the European Union on Saturday announced a historic agreement to soon launch a mega India-Middle East-Europe shipping and railway connectivity corridor.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement for the ambitious project on the sidelines of the G20 Summit and was flanked by US President US Biden, Saudi Arabia Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman and leaders of the EU.

This is a historic and first-of-its-kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany and the US.

Speaking after the launch, PM Modi said, “I cordially welcome you all at this event. I am very happy to co-chair this event with my friend President Joe Biden. Today we all have seen the conclusion of a historic and important agreement. In the coming days, it will be an effective medium of economic integration between India, South Asia, and Europe”.

Speaking at the Bharat Mandapam venue of the G20 Summit here, PM Modi said the mega-deal will give a sustainable direction to connectivity and sustainability across the world.

He also congratulated all the leaders who were part of the connectivity corridor.  

“Strong connectivity and infrastructure are the foundation of the development of human civilisation. India has given this issue utmost priority during its course of development. Along with physical infrastructure, unprecedented investments are being made in social, economic and financial infrastructure as well,” PM Modi said.

He added, “Through this, we are laying a strong foundation for a developed India. As a reliable partner, India has set up infrastructure projects in the field of railways, energy, and technology partnerships, among the nations of the Global South. We have laid special emphasis on a demand-driven and transparent approach”.

The Prime Minister further stressed respecting sovereignty and regional integrity and stated that connectivity between different countries not only increases business but also trust between them. 

“We believe connectivity between different countries increases not only business but trust between them. By promoting connectivity initiative, we need to ensure we stick to philosophies, that is, adhesion to international rules, respect for all nations’ sovereignty and regional integrity,” PM Modi said. 

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region.

White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer had earlier said that “The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive”.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project.

“It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be” Finer added.

Finer termed this to-be-built project as “affirmative positive” aimed at serving the underserved.

“The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about the contrast of what we provide,” White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

Addressing the the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII) and India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor programme at Bharat Mandapam US President Joe Biden said, “This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that’s the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, it’s also the focus of this partnership that we’re talking about today. Building sustainable, resilient infrastructure, making quality infrastructure investments and creating a better future…”

Speaking at the same forum, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Muhammed Bin Salman said, “… We look forward to the integration of the initiative and the Economic Corridor project which is announced in this meeting. I would like to thank those who worked with us to reach this founding step to establish this important economic corridor…”

French President Emmanuel Macron said, “… So now with the European Commission here, we commit to invest alongside with you on this road. And this is a very important project from Asia through Middle East to Europe to offer big opportunities and connect people.

“But our intention is as well to make it real and to be sure that after this commitment we have concrete results and especially to have the first global green trade road meaning having net zero transport infrastructure…” Macron said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “More large-scale projects are seeing the light…We are presenting two of them today. First the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor…It will be the most direct connection to date between India, the Arabian Gulf and Europe…This is also the spirit of the second project we announce today the Trans African Corridor…” (ANI)

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Modi G20 Leaders Summit Declaration

Modi Announces Adoption Of G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration and announced its adoption.

The Prime Minister, who is chairing the G20 sessions, congratulated the Sherpas and ministers who had worked towards forging the consensus.

“I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible,” he said.

The announcement of adoption of the declaration was welcomed with thumping of desks.  

In his opening remarks at the Summit, the Prime Minister said that the 21st century is a time that has the potential to give a new direction to the entire world.

“It’s a time when years old challenges demand new solutions from us. Therefore, we must move forward by fulfilling all our responsibilities with a Human Centric approach,” he said. (ANI)

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Chandrababu's Wife

I Want Him To Win The Fight, Chandrababu’s Wife On His Arrest

After the arrest of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in connection with an alleged corruption case, his wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari expressed her hope that Naidu should win the fight which he has been fighting for the freedom of the people of the state. 

“Chandrababu Naidu continued his fight not for his family but for the freedom of the people of Andhra Pradesh. I want him to win the fight,” Bhuvaneshwari said. 

Chandrababu Naidu’s wife Nara Bhuvaneshwari earlier visited to Durga Devi temple to offer prayers. 

“A child goes to a parent when they are upset. That’s why I came to the deity (at Durga Devi temple) to share my pain. I prayed to the deity to protect my husband and give him courage,” she added. 

The TDP chief was taken into custody by the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Investigation Department (CID), in connection with the alleged skill development scam case. A First Information Report (FIR) in the case was lodged in 2021.

As police arrived early Saturday morning to arrest the TDP Chief, they faced resistance from TDP cadres. A minor scuffle also broke out between officials and Naidu’s supporters during his arrest.

Meanwhile, N Chandrababu Naidu, who was later arrested on an alleged case of corruption, said that the CID made the arrest without any proper information and that they refused to show him evidence.

Talking to mediapersons prior to his police custody, Naidu said, I did not commit any malpractice or corruption. CID arrested me without any proper information, and I asked them to show the evidence, but they refused to show it and attached my name to the FIR without my role.”

Naidu has been named as accused number 1 in the case, which involves over Rs 250 crore.

Details of the FIR and other details were provided to Naidu’s advocates, who also demanded prima facie evidence, pointing out that the former chief minister’s name was not mentioned in the FIR report.

The former Andhra Chief Minister has been charged under sections for criminal conspiracy, cheating, and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property.

“It is to inform you that you have been arrested under CrPc’s Sections 120(8), 166, 167, 418, 420, 465, 468, 471, 409, 201, 109 rw 34 and 37 IPC and other sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988,” the notice issued under Section 50 (1) (2) of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The State Police also detained several party leaders, including Naidu’s son Nara Lokesh, in East Godavari district as a preventive action to maintain law and order in the state. (ANI)

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Sunak Delhi's Akshardham Temple

Sunak To Visit Delhi’s Akshardham Temple Tomorrow

United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is in India for the G20 Summit, is scheduled to visit Delhi’s Akshardham temple on Sunday. 

While talking with ANI, the UK PM said that he will visit Delhi’s Akshardham temple tommorrow. 

Expressing pride for his ‘Hindu’ roots, Rishi Sunak yesterday expressed his hope that he will find time to visit a temple, here in India, during his stay for the G20 Summit.

Sunak said that he has “enormous respect” for PM Modi and said that he is keen to support him in making G20 an enormous success.

Speaking exclusively to ANI, Rishi Sunak said, “I am a proud Hindu. That’s how I was raised, that’s how I am. Hopefully, I can visit the Mandir while I am here for the next couple of days. We just had Rakshabandhan, so from my sister and my cousin, I have all my Rakhis.”

“I didn’t have time to celebrate Janmashtami. But hopefully, as I said I can make up for that if we visit a Mandir this time,” he added.

He further said that faith is something very important as it gives strength and resilience during stress.

Earlier today, PM Sunak held a bilateral meeting with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit being held in the national capital under India’s presidency. The meeting between the two leaders was held at the Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan, the venue of the Summit.

Talks between the two leaders followed their meeting held on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May this year in which they had discussed the India-UK free trade agreement, innovation, and science along with ways to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.The two countries are negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, talks for which had begun in 2022. The 12th round of negotiations for the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took place from August 8 to 31 this year.In August this year, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and the UK’s Secretary of State for Trade Kemi Badenoch took stock of the FTA and agreed on ways to progress the negotiations. The 13th round of negotiations is due to take place in September.

Earlier today, PM Modi and Rishi Sunak participated in Session 1 on ‘One Earth’ during the G20 Summit. Sunak said that the world is looking to G20 to provide leadership and that the leaders are meeting at a time of enormous challenges. He expressed confidence that the leaders will together be able to address the challenges.

In a post shared on X, Sunak stated, “15 years ago, #G20 leaders came together for the first time to restore global growth after the financial crisis. We meet at a time of enormous challenges – the world is looking to the G20 once again to provide leadership. Together I believe we can address these challenges.”PM Modi welcomed world leaders, including US President Joe Biden, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, UK PM Rishi Sunak, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and others as they arrived to attend the Summit at the Bharat Mandapam venue.

Rishi Sunak and PM Modi warmly greeted each other with Namaste and shook hands. They two leaders also hugged each other as they posed for cameras.

Sunak, accompanied by wife Akshata Murty had arrived in Delhi on Friday. This is Rishi Sunak’s first visit to India as Prime Minister since he assumed the office of Prime Minister of UK in October last year.

India and the UK are bound by strong ties of history and culture, according to the Ministry of External Affairs. India’s multifaceted bilateral relationship with the UK intensified with its upgradation to a Strategic Partnership in 2004. (ANI)

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Indonesian President Son

Indonesian Prez’s Son Visits Taj Mahal

Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s son Kaesang Pangarep and his wife Erina Gudono visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Saturday. The couple reached the monument and posed for photographs.

Kaesang Pangarep is an Indonesian entrepreneur and YouTuber. He is the third and youngest child of the Indonesian President. 

Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in India on Friday for attending the G20 Summit, which will be held on September 9-10.

He was received by Minister of State Shantanu Thakur at the airport.

Notably, Widodo’s visit to India comes just a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 18th East-Asia Summit and 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indonesia is the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year.

India is hosting the G20 Leaders Summit at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on September 9-10. 

This is the first time that the G20 Summit is taking place under India’s presidency. Formed in 1999, the G20 was setup to maintain global financial stability by incorporating middle-income countries.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country. The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders’ declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, stating Leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. The next G20 presidency is going to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025. (ANI) 

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G20 Railway Ports Connectivity

G20: US, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, EU Set To Unveil Railway, Ports Connectivity Deal

A shipping and rail transportation corridor linking countries across the Middle East, South Asia and Europe is likely to be announced on the sidelines of the ongoing G20 Summit in New Delhi, a White House official has said.

The United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the European Union and other G20 partners are set to explore the shipping and rail transportation corridor, which is aimed at aiding in the flow of commerce, energy and data from India across the Middle East up to Europe.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be announced at a meeting focused on global infrastructure on the sidelines of the G20 today according to White House Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer.

The leaders are meeting to discuss the global economy and supply chain challenges, among other issues facing the global community.

This agreement after it is inked could be seen as an alternate supply chain in a completely evolved post-pandemic world order.

Finer added that President Biden and Prime Minister Modi will meet with other leaders for an event focused on global infrastructure later today.

“The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce. We see this as having a high appeal to the countries involved, and also globally, because it is transparent because it is a high standard because it is not coercive,” Finer told mediapersons here.

Delving more on the initiative, Finer noted it was not just a railway project but more of a shipping and railway project.

“It is not just the Railway project, it is a shipping and Railway project and it is important for people to understand how expansive, ambitious and ground-breaking this will be” Finer added.

Finer termed this to-be-built project as “affirmative positive” aimed at serving the underserved.

“The way we see the infra project, it is an affirmative positive project. It has appeal for countries underserved by infra. We are not asking countries to make a zero-sum choice. We have seen other efforts that are not as ambitious, we feel good about contrast of what we provide,” White House Deputy National Security Advisor said.

The infrastructure deal is expected to connect countries in the Middle East via a network of railways. The network will also connect to India through shipping lanes from ports in the region. (ANI)

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South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Pakistan

G20 Declaration Focuses On Promoting Strong, Sustainable, Inclusive Growth: Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the G20 Leaders’s Summit Declaration adopted on Saturday focuses on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth.

Addressing a joint press conference, Jaishankar said the Declaration seeks to accelerate progress on Sustainable Development Goals and has come up with an action plan accordingly.

“The declaration the leaders have agreed on today, focuses on promoting strong, sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth. It seeks to accelerate progress on SDGs and has come up with an action plan accordingly,” the minister said.  

“It envisages a green development pact for a sustainable future, it endorses high-level principles on lifestyle for sustainable development, voluntary principles of hydrogen, the Chennai principles for a sustainable resilient blue economy and the Deccan principles on food security and nutrition among others,” he added.

He said the message of India’s presidency is ‘One Earth, One Family and we share One Future’ and the country has “consciously sought to make this G20 as inclusive and broad-based as possible”.

“It’s witnessing the participation of its 20 member states, nine invitee states and 14 international organisations. It is a matter of particular satisfaction for us that the African Union is a permanent member,” he said.

The minister said that transformative and inclusive role of technology has been highlighted with a focus on digital public infrastructure.  

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced at the G20 Summit that consensus has been built on New Delhi Leaders’ Summit Declaration. He announced its adoption.

“I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible,” PM Modi said.

The announcement of adoption of the Declaration was welcomed with thumping of desks.

The G20 Summit is being held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. (ANI)

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How Modi Can Gain From Xi’s Absence at the G20 Summit

This weekend even as the G20 Summit, hosted this year by India, got going in Delhi, a global news network’s website had a photograph from the 2019 summit of the grouping, which is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and both the European Union (EU) and African Union (AU). In the photo, a beaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen holding hands–with Russia’s president Vladimir Putin to his right, and China’s president Xi Jingping–and posing for the photograph. That photo op will not recur in Delhi during the summit this year because both Putin and Xi absented themselves from the annual summit that is hosted by a rotating presidency. 

Putin’s not going to India because there is a warrant accusing him of war crimes in Ukraine, issued by the International Criminal Court, and he faces arrest if he travels abroad. For the same reason, he missed the meeting of the BRICS (a grouping that includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa and some recently added new members) last month in South Africa.

Xi’s absence is a bit more perplexing. China has not officially proffered any explanation but there are several theories doing the rounds. First, that Xi, under whom China’s rift with the West has greatly intensified, may be disillusioned with the existing global system of governance and structures that he sees as dominated by American influence. He may be prioritizing multilateral forums that fit into China’s own vision for how the world should be governed.

Second, Xi may have decided to skip the meeting because he wants to rebuff India. Relations between China and India are not smooth because of the ongoing border dispute on the north-eastern perimeter of India. Xi may also want to avoid meeting other Western leaders because of their disapproval of some of China’s issues, notably its friendship with Russia and the support it is extending Putin during his offensive against Ukraine that is going on for the past 19 months.

Third, and probably least likely, is that he may be facing domestic crises such as potential health issues, or economic and political challenges.

Indeed, at last month’s BRICS meet, Xi skipped a commerce session at which other heads of states of the grouping were present, and, instead, sent his commerce minister to read out his speech.

While the absence of those two biggies, who together form the biggest adversarial alliance against the West, might rob the summit of its incendiary potential, there are other biggies that are in attendance. They include US President Joe Biden, UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, France’s Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron, and Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Xi’s absence has disappointed US president Biden, who would have liked to have had some face time with Xi over a long list of differences that his country has with China. Biden would have wanted to discuss with Xi several pressing global issues, such as climate change, pandemic response, and nuclear non-proliferation. Biden may face more challenges in persuading China to cooperate on these issues, especially if China views them as interference in its internal affairs or sovereignty.

Yet, for Modi, Xi’s absence might offer an opportunity to shine brighter at the summit. With Xi not around. Modi can pitch himself as the leading light of the South, a region whose inequality vis-a-vis the North has been widening. And while the rift between the West (read: US and its allies) and the East (read: China and Russia) has become sharper, India occupies a unique position that Modi can leverage.

India is not unequivocally aligned with either Russia & China or with the US. It buys Russian oil, weapons and capital goods. India-Russia trade was estimated to be $45 billion in 2022-23. India has also refrained from strongly and vehemently opposing Russian military action against Ukraine. 

On the other hand, India’s relations with the US have also been improving. The two countries share values and interests, such as democracy, and security. They cooperate on various issues, such as counterterrorism, climate change, and countering China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific. The US is India’s largest trading partner and their bilateral trade in goods and services reached $128 billion in 2022-23.

By pitching his relations with both sides strategically, Modi can use India’s unique position to influence the relations between the West and East as well as the North and the South.

With the absence of Putin and Xi, few expect the G20 summit this year to achieve anything huge. Although the theme of the conference is ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future’, we should not expect any consensus statement or agreement on any of the grouping’s objectives of achieving “international financial stability, climate change mitigation and sustainable development”.

As the most important member of the Global South, India enjoys a leadership position among the region’s smaller developing countries. This weekend, Modi formally invited the African Union, which represents the 55 countries on the African continent to join G20 as a permanent member. Although this was initiated by Biden last year, it will be formalised under Modi’s presidency of the group at this year’s summit.

Modi can also leverage India’s hosting of the summit as a major publicity move. India’s parliamentary elections are scheduled for May 2024 and Modi, now on his second term as prime minister of the nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regime would want to win a third. The image of India hosting and Modi presiding over a gathering of world leaders in Delhi can generate immense political mileage and pride among Indians, who were recently exhilarated when an Indian space mission landed on the moon. Even before the summit got going, India’s high-decibel TV news channels were unanimously hailing the event as India’s “moment of glory”. And through the weekend, frenzied TV anchors shrieked themselves hoarse about how huge this was for India… and, of course, for Modi.

There are other, more mundane, benefits that can accrue from the two-day summit such as India’s trade pacts, bilateral talks and cooperation with other countries. Yet, the most important one for Modi could be the value it would add to his and his regime’s image and what could, eventually, accrue to his legacy. In the run-up to the summit, Delhi got a massive, cosmetic, revamp of its civic infrastructure–a clean up, if you like. Some of it was controversial–such as the restriction of movement in the capital city area, removal of slums and signs of poverty, and so on. Some politicians have speculated that the Indian government has spent an estimated ₹4,100 crore on holding the summit and that is seven times as much as when Germany spent ₹641 crore during its hosting of the summit in 2017. Even if that is correct, for Modi the cost-benefit assessment of the G20 summit would probably still be agreeable.

Bullet, India’s Iconic Motorcycle, is a Prime Example of Make in India

The UK publication, The Economist, recently published an article about how Royal Enflield’s Bullet motorcycle, which many consider its flagship model, continues to not only survive but thrive despite the fact that little has changed technologically in the model for decades. The Economist pointed out that while global giant corporations have had to evolve and keep changing their products to stay relevant, Royal Enfield’s Bullet, which enjoys a cult status in India’s market for motorcycles, seems to be doing great with minimal tech tinkering.

The Bullet, a 350 cc motorcycle was launched first in 1932 by a British company but since 1994 it has been owned by an Indian company and is now part of the Eicher Group. Last week, the company launched its latest iteration of the Bullet. Surprise, it looks almost exactly as it did, say, 50 years ago. There have been tech innovations that have been carried out over the years: the 2024 model combines an old-school design with more modern updates such as double-cradle chassis and fuel-injected engine. Yet, the Bullet’s looks and basic appeal remains the same.

Its retro looks have over recent years appealed to markets abroad. It has a niche but substantial market in the US where sales grew more than 90% last year to 5120 units last year. Eicher exports 16-20% of its motorcycles and its overseas sales have been growing rapidly in recent years, particularly in markets such as the UK, Europe, New Zealand and Southeast Asia. In 2022, the company’s international volume doubled as it expanded its presence and product range in the international markets, with over 125 dealerships across 60 countries. The Bullet serves as a prime example of India’s Make In India campaign.

Finland’s Former PM Makes News… Again

Finland is a small country in the Nordics with a population of a bit more than 5.5 million people, not much more than the number of people who live in a borough of, say, Mumbai or New Delhi. So it hardly makes news on the global scene. Yet, because it shares a 1340-km border with Russia, it has become an important region that features in geopolitical discourses that centre around Russia’s offensive against Ukraine. Finland also made news when it was recently admitted to NATO (the collective defence bloc of North American and European countries).

There is another newsmaker in Finland and it is Sanna Marin, the former prime minister of the country. Marin was 34 when she became the youngest prime minister of a country in modern times (William Pitt the Younger was 24 when he became prime minister of Great Britain, not UK, in 1783). 

She and her Socialist Democratic Party-led alliance made the news also when her tenure coincided with the Covid pandemic and her government’s effectiveness in combating its spread was lauded.

Marin acquired somewhat of a rockstar’s image (not without some controversies surfacing around her after-work partying) during her tenure as prime minister, making it to the covers of magazines such as Vogue and Time. Her term ended in 2023 after her party lost by getting marginally less votes than her closest rivals. Now, Finland has a rightwing government in power.

But Marin continues to make news. Last week, Marin, now 37, announced that she was resigning from the Finnish parliament and, ostensibly, from politics. She will join the Tony Blair Institute, a think tank and nonprofit that strives to strengthen the centre ground between the right and left extremes of politics and uphold the belief in democracy. 

Marin’s decision to move on comes at a time when Finnish politics is getting more polarised–currently there is a debate over racist statements by some ministers in the new government–and while she may consider it a personal career progression many believe that she had years of valuable contribution to make in Finnish politics.

Much Ado About Maps

Recently, China again stirred up a controversy with its official maps that have perturbed other countries by their depictions. According to some web sources, China released a new official “standard” map on August 29 this year, which shows its claims over some of its neighbors’ territories. Some of the countries that have protested against the map include India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

India, for instance, rejected China’s depiction of its northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh and the disputed Aksai Chin region as part of China’s territory. The Philippines, whose islands and waters are shown as part of China’s territory, has similarly rejected the claims. Malaysia has also alleged encroachment of its territory by China in its map, as has Vietnam.

As for Taiwan, China has relentlessly claimed that it is part of China and refuses to acknowledge its independence. 

Such posturing through maps showing other countries’ territories as part of its own territory are not restricted to China. India too has issued maps that have stirred controversy in Nepal, with both countries laying claim to a region known as Kalapani. India published a new map in November 2019, after it revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, which included Kalapani as part of its territory. Nepal protested against the map and said Kalapani belongs to Nepal. In May 2020, Nepal published its own map, which showed Kalapani as part of its territory. India rejected Nepal’s map and said it was not based on historical facts or evidence.

… And Here is Some Good News

As US-China tensions escalate, many global brands are looking to diversify their suppliers away from China. India has emerged as an attractive option, thanks to its large and cheap labour force, its growing domestic market, and its government incentives. For instance, the Modi government’s manufacturing scheme, known as Production Linked Incentive (PLI), offers cash incentives to firms in a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, textiles and electronics.

And while mega projects to manufacture in India might not have taken off quickly (Foxconn, the Taipei headquartered electronics maker, aborted its joint venture with Vedanta group to make semiconductors in India but it could find a new partner), small and medium sized ones have been making a beginning.

Two recent examples: Dixon Technologies, which assembles smartphones for Motorola and Lenovo, and has seen a surge in orders and revenues; Zetwerk, which connects customers and manufacturers within India, and has handled orders from US firms for products ranging from nail clippers to steel frames. 

These could be welcome examples of greenshoot ventures for the Make In India programme.

India G20 Sherpa Kant

India Got 100% Consensus On New Delhi Declaration: G20 Sherpa Kant

Calling the New Delhi Declaration “historical and path breaking,” G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant on Friday said that India got the “100 per cent” consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues focussing on Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth Accelerating Progress on Sustainable Development Goals.

Soon after Prime minister Narendra Modi announced that the consensus has been achieved on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration and announced its adoption, G20 Sherpa Kant congratulated India. 

“Historical and Path breaking #G20 Declaration with 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in today’s world . Demonstrates PM @narendramodi leadership in today’s world,” Kant said on a post shared on X. 

“The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration focuses on – Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth Accelerating Progress on #SDGs Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century Reinvigorating Multilateralism,” he added. 

On the social media account, Kant further said that G20 India has been the most ambitious in the history of the presidencies. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than doubled the substantive work from previous presidencies. 

India’s G20 Presidency has been inclusive, ambitious, decisive, action-oriented and unafraid to challenge the status quo. Under PM Modi, India have given a strong call to action for the leaders to take G20 to the last mile.

Earlier, PM Modi announced, “I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce to adopt this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible…”

India’s Footprint on G20 Outcomes are in Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition, Chennai High-Level Principles for Blue/Ocean Economy, Goa Roadmap for Tourism, Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap for land restoration and  Jaipur Call for Action to enhance MSMEs access to information, as per the sources. 

Earlier today, PM Modi addressed the Session-I on ‘One Earth’ during the G20 Summit where he began by expressing condolences for the victims of the recent earthquake in Morocco.

He then invited the head of the African Union to take his seat as a member of the G20. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar accompanied the President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani as he took his seat among world leaders.

“With everyone’s approval, I request the African Union Chairperson to take his seat as a permanent G20 member,” PM Modi said.

In his remarks at the first session of the G20 Summit, PM Modi said, “The 21st century is a time that has the potential to give a new direction to the entire world. It’s a time when years-old challenges demand new solutions from us. Therefore, we must move forward by fulfilling all our responsibilities with a human-centric approach.”

“Noting that India’s G20 Presidency has become a symbol of inclusion both inside and outside the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that it has become “People’s G20” in India and crores of citizens are connected with it.

In his opening statement, he said, “India’s G20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, of ‘sabka saath’ both inside and outside the country. This has become the People’s G20 in India. Crores of Indians are connected to this. In more than 60 cities of the country, more than 200 meetings have taken place. With the sense of ‘Sabka Saath’, India had proposed that the African Union be granted permanent membership of G20. I believe that all of us agree to this proposal.”

PM Modi noted that the world has faced a new challenge of trust deficit after COVID-19. He referred to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and said the war had deepened the trust deficit further. (ANI)

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