Jakarta (ANTARA) – The previous 17 G20 presidencies have delivered significant results in ensuring macroeconomic stability, streamlining international taxation, easing the country’s debt burden, among many other results.
We will build on this achievement and we will build on it.
However, as India takes on this important role, I wonder if the G20 can go even further? Can we catalyze a fundamental shift in mindset, for the benefit of humanity as a whole?
I believe we can.
Our mindset is shaped by our circumstances. Throughout history, humanity has lived in scarcity. Humanity struggles for limited resources, as its survival depends on its denial of others. Confrontation and competition – between ideas, ideologies and identities have become the norm.
Unfortunately, we remain stuck in the same zero-sum mindset even today. We see it when countries compete for territory or resources. We see it when the stock of essential goods is armed.
We see it when vaccines are stockpiled by the few, even as billions remain vulnerable.
Some might say that confrontation and greed are just human nature. I do not agree. If humans are inherently selfish, what would explain the enduring appeal of so many spiritual traditions that advocate the fundamental unity of each one of us?
One such tradition, which is popular in India, sees all living things, and even inanimate objects, as composed of the same five basic elements – panch tatva: earth, water, fire, air and sky.
Harmony between these elements – within us and between us is essential for our physical, social and environmental well-being.
India’s G20 Presidency will work to promote this sense of universal unity. Therefore, we carry the theme “One Land, One Family, One Future”.
It’s not just a slogan. This theme takes into account recent changes in the human condition, which we collectively fail to appreciate.
Today we have the means to produce enough to meet the basic needs of all the peoples of the world.
Today we don’t need to fight for our survival, our time doesn’t need to be a time of war. In fact, it can’t be like that!
Today, the greatest challenges we face – climate change, terrorism and pandemics – can be solved not by fighting us, but only by acting together.
Fortunately, today’s technology also gives us the means to tackle problems on a human scale. The massive virtual world we live in today shows the scalability of digital technology.
Home to one sixth of humanity and with its enormous diversity of languages, religions, customs and beliefs, India is a small world.
With the oldest known tradition of collective decision-making, India contributes to the fundamental DNA of democracy. As a mother democracy, India’s national consensus is not forged by diktats, but by blending millions of free voices into one harmonious melody.
Today, India is the fastest growing major economy.
Our citizen-centered model of government cares for even our most marginalized citizens, while cultivating the creative skills of our talented young people.
We have tried to make national development not a top-down implementation of government, but a citizen-led “grassroots movement”.
We leveraged technology to create open, inclusive and interoperable digital public goods.
This has led to groundbreaking advances in areas such as social protection, financial inclusion and electronic payments.
For all these reasons, India’s experience can provide insights into possible global solutions.
During the G20 Presidency, India will showcase India’s experience, lessons learned and model as a possible example for other countries, especially developing countries.
Our G20 priorities will be defined in consultation not only with our G20 partners, but also with our southern partners, whose voices are often not heard.
Our priority will focus on healing our ‘One Earth’, creating harmony in our ‘One Family’ and bringing hope for our ‘One Future’.
To care for our planet, we will promote a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle based on India’s traditional belief in nature.
To promote harmony in the human family, we will work to depoliticize the global supply of food, fertilizers and medical products, so that geopolitical tensions do not lead to a humanitarian crisis.
As in our own families, those most in need should always be our first concern.
To give hope to future generations, we will encourage frank conversations among the most powerful nations about mitigating the risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and strengthening global security.
India’s G20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. Let us unite to make India’s G20 Presidency one of healing, harmony and hope.
Let’s work together to shape a new paradigm of human-centered globalization.
*) Narendra Modi is an Indian politician who has been the 14th and current Prime Minister of India since 2014.
*) The views and opinions expressed on this page are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ANTARA News Agency
This news was published on Antaranews.com with the title: Today India started the G20 Presidency
