PM Modi’s Bold Stand on G20 Consensus: India Would Exit If No Agreement Reached
Unanimous Adoption of New Delhi Declaration: A Diplomatic Triumph for India
29.06.2024: In a pivotal moment for global diplomacy, India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi instructed him to convey to G20 members that India would exit the group if no consensus was reached on the joint declaration. This bold move led to the unanimous adoption of the “New Delhi declaration,” a significant victory for India amid the challenging Russia-Ukraine conflict.
The Challenge of Consensus
Ahead of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration last year, Kant recounted the uncertainty and diplomatic hurdles faced. The lack of consensus across G20 ministerial groups was evident, with none of the meetings ending with a joint communiqué, a norm disrupted by the Russia-Ukraine war that began in February 2022. The expectation was that the final declaration would also face a deadlock.
Prime Minister Modi’s Vision
“Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) felt that we must be ambitious, very inclusive, decisive, and action-oriented,” Kant stated. Under Modi’s leadership, consensus was achieved on nearly 212 outcomes across 83 paragraphs. “One paragraph on the Russia-Ukraine crisis took us 300 hours of negotiation, with 16 drafts failing and only the 17th succeeding,” Kant detailed. Throughout this intense process, Modi received situation reports every two hours and firmly stated, “If G20 cannot arrive at a consensus, India will not be a part of G20.”
Strategic Negotiations
Kant shared that at the final Sherpas’ meeting, six hours before the Summit, he informed counterparts of India’s potential exit if the declaration was not accepted. By early September 9, emerging markets agreed to the draft, but the United States had reservations, seeking a word change that needed Russian and Chinese approval. Kant negotiated with the US, Russian, and Chinese Sherpas for three hours, achieving consensus by 12:30 PM. Half an hour later, Prime Minister Modi announced the consensus.
Leadership Recognition
Kant emphasized that this diplomatic success was possible due to Prime Minister Modi’s stature and leadership. He shared these insights at the launch of the book, ‘Power Within: The Leadership Legacy of Narendra Modi’ by Dr. R Balasubramaniam, highlighting Modi’s decisive and inclusive leadership approach.
Prime Minister Modi’s assertive stance and visionary leadership were crucial in navigating the diplomatic complexities of the G20 summit, culminating in a historic consensus on the New Delhi declaration. This achievement underscores India’s growing influence and strategic importance on the global stage.