Calay News
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has deployed a shrewd strategy in the G20 presidency to assert his leadership and India’s national prosperity, consolidating his country’s position as an emerging global power just in time for the elections in 2024.
Since months before the summit, signs and billboards across New Delhi have displayed the image of the 72-year-old ruler with slogans related to the summit themes, such as “A voice from the Global South.”
The meeting of the world’s top 20 economies, on September 8–9, comes after India overtook China as the world’s most populous country and became the fifth-largest economy in 2022, overtaking the United Kingdom.
Seeking a place on the global stage, Modi took advantage of the G20 summit to position India as a representative of countries that are not part of the bloc. He made a notable breakthrough by including the African Union as a member of the G20, gaining acceptance from the other members.
Furthermore, Modi managed to unify a divided group to issue a statement on complex issues such as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the climate crisis, a considerable diplomatic achievement. The statement avoided criticizing Russia, India’s ally and arms supplier.
On climate, no deal was reached to phase out fossil fuels, but it was agreed to triple renewable energy by 2030, which was seen as a diplomatic success for India.
The summit was loaded with Hindu symbols, a clear message from Modi to his political base. His political career has been based on the support of one billion Hindus, and the summit’s logo, a globe with a lotus flower, resembles the symbol of his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.
Modi is presented as the favorite in the upcoming elections, while his main opponent, the Congress Party, has been hit by corruption cases. Despite controversy and criticism internationally, around 80% of Indians have a positive opinion of Modi and believe he is increasing India’s influence on the world stage. His presidency of the G20 could further strengthen his political position.
