The multi-dimensional Russia-India cooperation will continue to strengthen, Russian President Vladimir Putin hoped in his New Year greetings sent to Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday 31st December.
In his messages, Putin stressed that in 2022, Russia and India marked the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations and, relying on positive traditions of friendship and mutual respect, the countries continue to develop their special and privileged strategic partnership.
Both countries, he said, continue to carry out large-scale trade and economic projects in addition to energy, military technology and other areas of cooperation, coordinate efforts in addressing important matters of regional and global agendas.
India leading at SCO and G20 will strengthen Russia-India cooperation: Putin
“I am confident that India’s recently started SCO and G20 presidencies will open new opportunities for building multi-dimensional Russia-India cooperation for the benefit of our peoples, in the interests of strengthening stability and security in Asia and the entire world,” said Putin.
Meanwhile, India has to play to its strengths to lead the G20 through another year of geopolitical challenges.
India’s challenges are too high…
At a time of weakened unity within the G20, new host India will have its work cut out tackling issues like the Ukraine war, Indo-Pacific rivalry and pandemic recovery.
New Delhi must use its position as a champion of multilateral cooperation to carry the group through the next 12 months.
With its entrepreneurial spirit, abundance of talent and ambitious foray into the global economy, India has fortified its position as a leader among developing economies in guiding international development cooperation and bolstering multilateralism.
To be sure, the political and economic difficulties now facing the international community are numerous. The Ukraine war has strained relations between Russia and Western countries, most of which are G20 members. Meanwhile, the sanctions imposed on Russia have negatively affected food, oil and gas prices, holding back post-pandemic global recovery.
Indonesian President did well to bring global leaders, barring Putin together amid Ukraine war
Amid such geopolitical divides, getting the leaders at 2022 G20 summit in Bali to sign a single document was an extraordinary feat in itself for host Indonesia. Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s focus on the global economic impact of both the Russian-Ukraine conflict and the pandemic, coupled with the absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin, helped attendees reach a joint declaration.
India should lead with the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”
India similarly aims to develop pragmatic solutions for the well-being of populations worldwide; in the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family). The transformation of India’s economy, especially the rise of its green and digital sectors, has shaped India’s vision for global development, while the effects of the pandemic have highlighted the necessity of robust healthcare infrastructure and international cooperation.
G20 is a window for the world’s fifth-largest economy to streamline critical global issues, keep the focus on long-term strategic goals, and strengthen North-South and South-South cooperation.
India should strive for fostering climate action
India can build on this by offering an inclusive vision of prosperity, providing a strong gender lens to the development agenda, and fostering climate action – which appeared to have lost momentum at the recently concluded COP27.
Equally important is the task of connecting the dotted lines between cross-cutting issues like propelling growth while safeguarding the environment, promoting the transition from fossil fuels to renewables while strengthening access to electricity for all, and bridging the digital divide while developing a governance ecosystem for the cyber world.
India has the social fabric and intellectual capital to lead and deliver
India has the social fabric and intellectual capital to lead and deliver on these vital global issues; the question is whether Indian diplomacy can rise to the occasion to effectively support G20 engagement throughout the year with an inclusive and action-oriented global agenda framework.
Biggest challenge for India to persuade warring groups for ending Russia-Ukraine War
Given its close relations with both the US and Russia, one of the biggest challenges for India will be to persuade Russia and Ukraine’s Western supporters to retreat from the battleground. If successful, the second obstacle – rising costs, primarily for food, and the subsequent cascade into wider global inflation – is expected to taper down as well.
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Biden and Jinping together in 2023 G20 should promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region
Meanwhile, the presence of US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 gives India a window to promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific by persuading the two rivals to agree to some fundamental rules of engagement in the region. From ensuring maritime security in the Indian and Pacific oceans to freer and fairer trade at a time of weakened multilateralism and global recession, there is much for the two giants to discuss in the coming year.
India’s back-channel diplomacy should be pursued effectively
As a host nation located in the heart of the Indo-Pacific, India has a unique opportunity to facilitate one of the most important political discourses within the G20. This will require India to go beyond simply setting an agenda and facilitating meetings; it must pursue effectively and backchannel diplomacy away from the fanfare of the media.
India’s diplomatic acumen will be put to the test given the need to hear all perspectives in a severely divided multipolar world while steering a course for compromise to reach a unified stance on the critical global issues that brought the 20 countries together in the first place.
Globally acknowledged Modi’s leadership should end in fruitful results – 2023 G20
As the world’s largest democracy in a period of severe geopolitical and economic uncertainty, India has the chance to demonstrate global leadership and statesmanship. Whether India can rise to the occasion – with the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi acknowledged by the world, optimism for a fruitful and decisive outcome is nevertheless genuine.
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