Diplomatic coup at G20 : Heights of indian diplomacy

India initiated the G-20 with the agenda 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' which means 'one earth, one family, one future.' Now, it is on the verge of completion, just as it began, with the Delhi Declaration accepted by all members without any changes.

I will explain how it's a diplomatic win for India with an example. The Sanskrit phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (meaning 'the whole earth is my family') is also mentioned in the declaration.

You might be wondering what the big deal is. Let me explain. A couple of weeks ago, during an energy ministerial meeting, China opposed the inclusion of the phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,' arguing that Sanskrit is not recognized by the United Nations.

Yes, you are right. We are not just discussing which words are included or not, but we are talking about India's G-20 summit, the most successful summit in the history of the G-20 and Indian diplomacy.

First of all, to correct myself and inform you, the G-20 is now G-21 with the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member under India's presidency. This is a significant diplomatic win for India and a historic moment for Africa, which is home to fifty-five nation states that are part of this influential group.

It showcases that India is a genuine leader of the Global South. On multiple occasions, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that the voice of the Global South is India's voice. Now, India has truly delivered on her promises to the Global South, underscoring India's commitment: you are not alone; India stands with you to confidently represent your interests to Western countries and secure consensus in your favor.

When it comes to the Russia-Ukraine war, discussions often tend to be sidelined. However, this time, it was different. Under India's presidency, there was a comprehensive discussion on various issues, including climate change, cybersecurity, tourism, sustainable development goals, infrastructure, trade, and financial matters.

In last year's declaration, Ukraine was mentioned forty-two times, and Western countries strongly criticized Russia. However, in the Delhi Declaration, Ukraine is mentioned only four times, and there is no direct condemnation of Russia.

India's G-20 summit stands as the most successful summit in the history of the G-20. A total of 73 outcomes and 39 annexed documents were announced during this summit. By comparison, the Indonesia summit had only 27 outcomes declared, and Italy had just 36 outcomes declared.