Prashant Jha, Ashok Malik, and Ro Khanna discuss the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi, India's growing international engagement, the Delhi Declaration's noteworthy commitments, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, US-India cooperation, and insights from Ashok Malik's diverse career and India's G20 participation.
India's growing global standing was showcased through its successful hosting of the G20 Summit, emphasizing its role as a problem solver and advocate on the international stage.
Foreign policy concerns have become more relevant to ordinary Indians, who now recognize the importance of international engagement and its impact on their daily lives.
Deep dives
The Significance of the G20 Summit for India and Indian Foreign Policy
The recently concluded G20 Summit in Delhi holds symbolic importance for India's growing interest in foreign policy and international engagement. The summit, held in various parts of India, reflects the country's increasing global standing and the growing interest of ordinary citizens in foreign policy. The event also served as an opportunity to establish India's readiness for wider global engagement and its role in the world. The G20 Summit showcased India's ability to be a problem solver, negotiator, and a forceful advocate on the international stage. It exemplified the alignment between India and the United States, highlighting their shared vision for the G20 and global issues.
The Growing Salience of Foreign Policy in India
Foreign policy has become more relevant and salient in the minds of ordinary Indians. With India's growing international engagement and dependence on external trade, foreign policy concerns have entered political and campaign discourse. The economic transformation in India, along with increased travel, communication, and exposure to global events, has made the common Indians more interested and engaged in foreign policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognized this shift earlier than many other politicians, understanding the change in India's relationship with the world. The common Indians now see the importance of international engagement and its impact on their daily lives.
Achieving Consensus at the G20 Summit
The G20 Summit in Delhi faced the challenge of achieving consensus among member nations. The United States and many Western allies showed flexibility by toning down their language condemning Russia, ensuring consensus and preventing China from playing the spoiler. The alignment between India and the US in pursuing a certain outcome at the G20 summit reflected a growing strategic partnership and recognition of the futility of allowing the summit to fail due to a language dispute. The consensus reached at the summit is a testament to India's ability to be a problem solver, a bridge, and a force for international reconciliation.
The Significance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor
The announcement and signing of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) during the G20 Summit highlights India's efforts to establish an economic and geopolitical alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The IMEC focuses on infrastructure development, energy transition, and enhancing trade and economic ties between India, the Middle East, and Europe. Unlike some BRI projects, IMEC projects are expected to have economic rationale and viability, contributing to the overall growth and prosperity of the participating countries. The corridor also signifies the growing alignment and strategic partnership between India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, and other partners.