India will take over the G20 presidency from Indonesia on 1st December 2022 and will host the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the first time in 2023. The G20 consists of the world’s leading and developing economies, representing 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international commerce, and two-thirds of the global population, making it the main venue for international economic cooperation. Each yearly G20 Presidency also functions as the G20 Secretariat.
New Delhi will determine the agenda for the G20, host the Leaders’ Summit, and convene ministerial, government, and civil society gatherings. The G20 presidency engages in a variety of activities to assist members in discussing and coordinating policies on areas of shared concern.
However, countries like China and Pakistan have raised objections to India hosting the G20 in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Zhao Lijian, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, said that the G-20’s meetings next year should not be held in Jammu and Kashmir. He urged to “avoid politicizing” the issue of the proposed G20 event in Jammu and Kashmir to be organised by India. China has always wanted to be the hegemon of the globe, despite its disregard for human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and other elements of a peaceful world. China’s diversionary tactics will not distract anyone from the larger agenda for the world, especially in light of the unfortunate Sri Lanka crisis due to China’s debt trap diplomacy. China’s iron-fisted rule over its occupied areas provides a clear indication of its motivations. The predicament of religious minorities in occupied East Turkistan and Tibet is well-documented and widely known. This is a time of immense pride for India as it symbolises the country’s rise to prominence and entry onto the global scene, as well as the power of the biggest democracy in the world and the voice of 1.4 billion Indians. The totalitarian Chinese Communist Party, in its lust for power, wants to establish Beijing as the sole leader or decision-maker in the Indo-Pacific region and world.
India must confront China’s aggressiveness with determination and play a decisive role in South Asia, the Indo-Pacific, and the global community. The G20 Presidency will assist India in advancing critical issues of debate with the aim of preserving the democratic and free world, which is under threat from autocratic forces like China.
Since August 2019, this is the first significant multilateral summit to take place in Jammu and Kashmir, and India selected it for a number of reasons. Firstly, India wants to host the powerful countries in Jammu and Kashmir to highlight the reforms undertaken by the government in the last few years. The security situation has improved leaps and bounds, and tourism in the area is at its peak. Jammu and Kashmir also offers an apt resort like location where G20 meetings are usually held. It will also bring a lot of investment for the region. Secondly, Jammu and Kashmir is the central point of contention between India and Pakistan. Pakistan occupies a portion of the region with its oppressive armed forces and is also responsible for spreading terrorism in the region, as well as constantly peddling lies and spreading false propaganda about Jammu and Kashmir. Hosting G20 meet in J&K will provide India with an opportunity to bust Pakistani propaganda and also present the real picture of vibrant Jammu and Kashmir to the world.
Soon after China and Pakistan started opposing India’s decision to hold G20 meetings in J&K, India also chose Ladakh as the venue so that China’s illegal intrusions and infrastructure in the region could be exposed to the world. Choosing Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as the venues for G20 meetings is a great diplomatic move by India for two strategic gains: first, to show the world that Kashmir is ready and open for everything – from sports to business to even diplomacy. Second, to depict how India is dealing with both its aggressive neighbors, China and Pakistan.
To demonstrate to the international community the progress and development accomplished in the region’s economy, similar events must be held in J&K and Ladakh in the future. It will further remove international scepticism and reveal the degree of misinformation being spread by China and Pakistan. Red Lantern Analytica applauds the decision by the Indian government while requesting China and Pakistan to respect India’s sovereignty and abstain from issuing juvenile statements with mala fide intent.
