India’s Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, unveiled the logo, theme and website of India’s G-20 Presidency on November 8, 2022.
Addressing the gathering, the Indian prime minister remarked that from December 1, 2022, India will preside over the G-20 Summit. The PM Modi said G-20 is the premier forum for international economic co-operation representing around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the worldwide trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.
Calling this a momentous occasion, PM Modi expressed happiness over the growing interest and activities about the G-20 and related events.
India has invited Egypt as ‘guest country’ to attend G20 during its presidency. During the joint press conference with Egyptian Minister for Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukri in Cairo on 15 October 2022, S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of India, has said that Egypt’s presence would represent a strong addition to the G20 meetings.
The meetings will tackle issues including climate change and supporting developing countries.
Remarking that the G-20 logo is not just any logo, PM Modi said that it is a message, a feeling that runs in India’s veins. He said, “It is a resolve that has been omnipresent in our thoughts through ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam’. He further added that the thought of universal brotherhood is being reflected via the G-20 logo.
The lotus in the logo symbolises India’s ancient heritage, faith and thought. The Philosophy of Adwait, the prime minister said, emphasises the oneness of all creatures and this philosophy will be a medium of resolution of today’s conflicts. This logo and theme represent many key messages from India. “Message of Buddha for freedom from war, Mahatma Gandhi’s solutions in the face of violence, through G-20, India is giving them a new height”, he said.
The Prime Minister remarked that India’s G-20 presidency comes at a time of crisis and chaos. He underlined that the world is dealing with the aftereffects of a disruptive once-in-a-century global pandemic, conflicts and lots of economic uncertainty. “The lotus in the logo of G-20 is a symbol of hope in such tough times,” he said.
The Prime Minister remarked that even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress to make it a better place. Throwing light on the culture of India, the Prime Minister mentioned that both the Goddesses of knowledge and prosperity are seated on a lotus. The Prime Minister pointed out the earth that is placed on a lotus in the logo of G-20 and said that shared knowledge helps us in overcoming difficult circumstances while shared prosperity enables us to reach the last mile. He further explained the significance of the seven petals of the lotus which represent the seven continents and seven universal musical notes. He added, “When the seven musical notes come together, they create perfect harmony.” Shri Modi said that the G-20 aims to bring the world together in harmony while respecting diversity.
PM Modi said India takes G20 Summit as a new responsibility and as the world’s trust in it.
Shri Modi said there is a journey of thousands of years for India to reach this stage today.
The Prime Minister underlined a key lesson of India’s culture “When we strive for our progress, we also envision global progress”, he said.
Prime Minister Modi also put forward India’s efforts in the field of sustainable development.
“We have to make sustainable development a part of indi-vidual LiFE rather than just a system of governments.
The environment is a global cause for us as well as personal responsibility”, the Prime Minister emphasised.
He also highlighted the contribution of Ayurveda and noted global enthusiasm for Yoga and coarse grains.
The Prime Minister said that many of India’s achievements can be used by other countries of the world. The use of digital technology in development, inclusion, removal of corruption, improving ease of doing business and ease of living, can be templates for many countries. The Prime Minister also highlighted India’s women empowerment and women-led development and financial inclusion through the Jan Dhan Account, which will reach the world through the opportunity of the G-20 presidency.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the world is looking with hope towards collective leadership whether it is G7, G77 or UNGA.
India’s presidency of G20 assumes a new significance. He elaborated that India maintains close relations with developed countries on the one hand, and at the same time understands and expresses the views of developing countries very well.
“It is on this basis that we will build the blueprint of our G-20 Presidency together with all the friends of the ‘Global South’ who have been India’s co-travellers on the path of development for decades” he added. The Prime Minister highlighted India’s endeavour that there should be no first world or third world in the world, but only one world.
Furthering India’s vision and the common objective of bringing the whole world together for a better future, the Prime Minister gave examples of One Sun, One World, One Grid which has been India’s clarion call for a revolution in the world of renewable energy, and the global health campaign of One Earth, One Health.
He further added that the G-20 mantra is – One Earth, One Family, One Future. “It is these thoughts and values of India that pave the way for the welfare of the world”, he continued, “I am sure, this event will not only be a memorable one for India, but the future will also assess it as a momentous occasion in the history of the world.”
G-20 India website can be accessed at https://www.g20.in/en/
