PM Modi talks of need to shift from GDP-centric progress to a more human-centric approach
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent blog on India's G20 presidency highlights the country's commitment to global inclusivity and sustainable development. Prompted by a desire to shift from GDP-centric progress to a more human-centric approach, Prime Minister Modi's blog, published on Thursday (November 30, 2023), reflects the importance of India's role in global diplomacy.
 
"Inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive —these four words define our approach as G20 president, and the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD), unanimously adopted by all G20 members, is testimony to our commitment to deliver on these principles," Prime Modi writes.
 
"Inclusivity has been at the heart of our presidency. The inclusion of the African Union (AU) as a permanent member of the G20 integrated 55 African nations into the forum, expanding it to encompass 80% of the global population. This proactive stance has fostered a more comprehensive dialogue on global challenges and opportunities," he explains in the blog.
 
Referring to the first-of-its-kind “Voice of the Global South Summit”, convened by India in two editions, Prime Minister Modi says these heralded a new dawn of multilateralism. 
 
"India main-streamed the Global South’s concerns in international discourse and has ushered in an era where developing countries take their rightful place in shaping the global narrative. Inclusivity also infused India’s domestic approach to G20, making it a people’s presidency that befits the world’s largest democracy," he notes.
 
Prime Minister Modi also highlights that India introduced initiatives like the Digital Public Infrastructure and the Green Development Pact, aligning with the G20 2023 Action Plan that targeted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a special emphasis on health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. 
 
The G20 Delhi Declaration underscores India's commitment to climate justice and equity, urging substantial financial and technological support from the Global North. "For the first time, there was a recognition of the quantum jump needed in the magnitude of development financing, moving from billions to trillions of dollars," the blog mentions.
 
The G20 acknowledged that developing countries require $5.9 trillion to fulfil their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by 2030. Given the monumental resources required, the G20 emphasised the importance of better, larger, and more effective Multilateral Development Banks, Prime Minister Modi writes in his blog.
 
"During our G20 presidency, India led deliberations on geopolitical issues and their impact on economic growth and development. Terrorism and the senseless killing of civilians are unacceptable, and we must address it with a policy of zero tolerance. We must embody humanitarianism over hostility and reiterate that this is not an era of war," Prime Minister Modi states.
 
During India's presidency, the G20 achieved 87 outcomes and adopted 118 documents, a significant increase from previous years. The G20 Declaration also called for tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, highlighting the focus on sustainable development.
 
Another initiative during India's G20 Presidency, the "Jan Bhagidari" succeeded in reaching approximately 1.4 billion citizens, Prime Minister Modi writes. These events were a crucial part of the presidency's strategy to engage a broad audience and demonstrate the extensive impact and outreach of its initiatives. The substantial reach of these events signifies the widespread engagement and awareness generated by the presidency's activities and objectives.
 
Prime Minister Modi's blog articulates India's successful navigation of global challenges during its G20 presidency, focusing on inclusivity, sustainable development, and climate action. It marks a developmental shift in the global narrative, revitalizing multilateralism and amplifying the voice of the Global South. 
 
According to Prime Minister Modi, future steps prioritize sustaining the momentum of inclusivity, implementing the G20 2023 Action Plan for accelerated SDG progress, advocating for climate justice, and advancing UN reforms for a more equitable global order.