Analysis | India stakes its G20 legacy on Global South imprint
The HinduAs G20 negotiators led by Indian Sherpa Amitabh Kant continued discussions on the draft “Leader’s Declaration” for the Summit in September, the government is staking much of its resources on ensuring the membership of the African Union in the G20. India’s push to expanding the imprint of the Global South in the G20 body is also a way of diverting attention and energies from the global polarization over the war in Ukraine, that is holding up a joint statement at all India-led G20 events. “With the African Union joining the G20, 90% of the global population will be represented by the grouping, which will be unique,” said Mr. Kant in an interaction with the media in Hampi, adding that the induction would be a “huge achievement” for India’s G20 presidency. India’s legacy as G20 President, already in the balance over whether it can forge a joint statement, or corral all G20 leaders from Putin and XI and to Biden, Macron and Trudeau into an event under one roof in September at the G20 venue in Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, may well find its bright spot in the inclusion of African nations, that are among the fastest growing markets in the emerging world.