Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Bali on Monday for the G20 Leaders’ Summit. His engagements at the summit began with an address at a session on “Food and Energy Security,” wherein he noted that the event is being held against the backdrop of a “challenging global environment” due to climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and developments in Ukraine.
Modi acknowledged that these issues have wreaked “havoc” globally but stressed that they have had a disproportionate impact on the world’s poorest citizens and countries.
In this regard, he highlighted that multilateral organisations like the United Nations (UN) have failed to make suitable reforms to address this inequality. He said this failure has generated “greater expectations from the G20.”
The interactions with world leaders at the Bali @g20org Summit continue. pic.twitter.com/mGnb6f4jd3
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 15, 2022
Modi reiterated his call for the “return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy in Ukraine” and underscored that dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a “concrete and collective resolve” to secure “peace, harmony, and security” across the globe.
He also made a thinly-veiled rebuttal to Western criticism of India’s decision to purchase Russian oil and called for greater climate financing from developed nations. Modi opposed restrictions on energy supply and noted that India, which he described as the “world’s fastest-growing economy,” will have half its electricity generated from renewable sources by 2030. He stressed, however, that “inclusive energy transition” in developing countries requires “time-bound and affordable finance and sustainable supply of technology.”
PM Modi’s attendance at the Summit comes as India is gearing up to take over the presidency of the G20 from Indonesia at the start of next month.
United States and Indonesia
On the sidelines of the summit, United States (US) President Joe Biden convened a trilateral meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Indian PM Modi. The trio reaffirmed their “shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation.”
They recognised the importance of using the G20’s “collective capacity” to confront current “global challenges” such as the food crisis and climate change. In addition, the leaders celebrated the grouping’s success in bringing together major economies for “sustainable and inclusive growth.”
Biden reiterated his commitment and support for “developing improved and innovative financing models for multilateral financial institutions to provide solutions” to the climate, energy, food, and health crises. The trio also discussed the need to utilise public and private funding to bridge the “infrastructure gap.”
PM @narendramodi arrives at the @g20org Summit. He was welcomed by President @jokowi. The Summit will witness extensive deliberations on ways to overcome important global challenges. It will also focus on ways to further sustainable development across our planet. pic.twitter.com/G6dv1RmGue
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) November 15, 2022
Biden celebrated Indonesian President Widodo’s leadership in bringing countries together to launch the Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic PPR hosted by the World Bank.
During India’s G20 Presidency, the fund will advance “substantive health finance collaborations” to address gaps in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
PM Modi highlighted India’s plan to use its G20 Presidency to give a “voice to other developing countries,” with a focus on “inclusive development,” strengthening and diversifying global supply chains, improving financing models for multilateral financial institutions, reducing poverty, and achieving sustainable development goals.
United States
Indian PM Modi also met with Biden separately to discuss expanding their strategic partnership, particularly in “future oriented sectors like critical and emerging technologies, advanced computing, [and] artificial intelligence.”
The pair expressed their mutual satisfaction with their “close cooperation” in other groupings like the Quad and I2U2 (India-Israel-UAE-US).
Indian PM Modi expressed his gratitude for Biden’s “constant support” in expanding India-US ties, which he said would continue during India’s G20 Presidency.
Indian Diaspora
PM Modi also addressed 800 members of the Indian diaspora in Bali on 15 November. He applauded the close “cultural and civilisational linkages” between the two countries.
Celebrating the Indian community for “enhancing the stature and prestige” of the country, he hailed the diaspora’s role in the “positive trajectory” of the India-Indonesia partnership.
The accomplishments of Indian diaspora make us proud. Addressing a community programme in Bali, Indonesia. https://t.co/2VyKTGDTVA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2022
He also spoke of India’s successes in digital technology, finance, health, telecom, and space, stressing on the importance of the self-reliance mission in India’s political and economic development plan.
Modi also briefly interacted with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping yesterday, although the details of their conversation have not been made public.