India’s G20 Presidency: Driving Human-Centric Progress and Global Change

India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, is gearing up to chair the crucial G20 Summit in New Delhi over the weekend, with a focus on driving human-centric progress and bringing about global change. The Prime Minister emphasized India’s philosophy of a universal family beyond borders, which translates into a call for human-centric progress during the country’s G20 Presidency. India’s vision, encapsulated in the phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam meaning the world is one family, promotes the idea of progressing as a universal family that transcends borders, languages, and ideologies. As India assumes the G20 Presidency, this philosophy takes center stage as a call for human-centric progress. The COVID-19 pandemic completely altered the global order, leading to significant shifts that need to be addressed. Prime Minister Modi highlighted three important changes that have emerged in this post-pandemic world. First, there is a realization that a shift from a GDP-centric view to a human-centric view is necessary. Second, the world is recognizing the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains. And third, there is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions. India’s G20 Presidency has played a catalytic role in driving these shifts. Prime Minister Modi expressed the need for a mindset shift within the G20, ensuring that the marginalized aspirations of developing countries, the Global South, and Africa are brought to the forefront. Under India’s Presidency, initiatives like the Voice of Global South Summit provided a platform for 125 countries to contribute their inputs and ideas. Additionally, the African Union has been encouraged to become a permanent member of the G20, leading to the largest-ever participation from African countries. Recognizing the interconnectedness of global challenges across domains, India has been committed to taking action on climate change. Living in harmony with nature has been a long-standing norm in India, and the country has been contributing to climate action even in modern times. Prime Minister Modi emphasized the need for a constructive approach that focuses on what can be done to fight climate change, rather than merely adopting a restrictive attitude. India’s growing economy is no accident but the result of its simple, scalable, and sustainable solutions that have empowered the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the pivotal role played by Indian women in the country’s growth story. Indian women have excelled in various sectors, leading the way in space, sports, the economy, and entrepreneurship. The G20 Presidency is working towards bridging the gender digital divide, reducing labor force participation gaps, and enabling a larger role for women in leadership and decision-making. For India, the G20 Presidency goes beyond a high-level diplomatic endeavor. As the Mother of Democracy and a model of diversity, India has opened the doors of this experience to the world. The country’s chairmanship of the G20 Summit signifies its commitment to driving human-centric progress and bringing about global change in a post-pandemic world.