Courtesy: Twitter @narendramodi
India has not invested much in multilateral rule-making institutions like the G20, but it is never too late to start. India is ahead in some aspects, particularly technology with digital public goods and its governance. But it will certainly need help and expertise.
Courtesy: Shutterstock
Despite the current tense global atmosphere, India and its foreign policy have remained true to its core of peace and security for all and equity and justice for the developing world. Throughout history, dialogue and diplomacy has been supported as a solution to dispute. Now, as G20 President, New Delhi can sow these seeds of peace in an increasingly multipolar world.
Courtesy: Valdai Discussion Club
The reference to India by Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Valdai Discussion Club may be interpreted as encouragement to New Delhi to use its good offices to nudge the warring sides to the negotiating table. Mediation is a big power game, and this may be the right time for India, at the cusp of the G20 Presidency, to start with a record of success
Courtesy: HarperCollins Publishers India
Tilak Devasher’s book on the Pashtuns brings out the dynamics of the Pashtun, their code, their relationship with Islam and with Pakistan. It contextualizes the current geo-political challenges in South Asia, making it required reading for those who want to understand not only the Pashtuns but regional strategic and security dynamics.
Courtesy: Airtel
Space and undersea cables are critical to India’s communications infrastructure. While India’s space programme has been largely successful, in undersea cables, India is barely present. As global reliance on undersea cables and the data it carries, grows, India’s security interests strategically converge with maritime cables and space, and opens opportunities for international cooperation.
Courtesy: PTI
The consecutive Presidencies of the G20 for India, Brazil and South Africa provides a rare, unique opportunity to forge an agenda common to both the G20 and IBSA. The timing is coincident: with Russia and China consumed by conflict and zero-Covid respectively, BRICS has receded. IBSA can convert both crises into an opportunity and become relevant to the Global South’s current and future challenges.
Courtesy: Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited
Renewable energy systems on their own will not be successful in achieving the net-zero targets. New technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) also need to be used, especially in hard-to-decarbonize industries like petroleum, steel and cement. India can use its upcoming G20 Presidency to initiate an informed discussion on CCUS technologies.
Courtesy: Reuters
Brazil will head to the polls in a runoff this month to choose its next president. Will it be incumbent Jair Bolsonaro, or former president Lula da Silva? Both are popular with their voter bases, but both have hurdles to overcome, most notably the economy, and have differences on their global political alignment – particularly important as Brazil will be the G20 President in 2024.
Courtesy: Justin Lane/European Pressphoto Agency
The BRICS have largely abstained from the UNSC resolution condemning Russia’s attempts to annex four Ukrainian provinces. Is it BRICS solidarity or is it because the interests of the Global North and its allies, and those of the Global South, are diverging?
Courtesy: Shutterstock//Creativa Images
Indonesia has managed its G20 Presidency year by understanding the importance of not going it alone. This trading nation has used its deep regional and multilateral cooperative processes which provided trusted back-up and support at every step, and was book-ended by strong linkages and investment partnerships with Japan and Australia. In this, it has laid the groundwork for India’s 2023 presidency.