G20 Delhi Declaration: The baseline for BJP 2024

Hyderabad: The PM said much more at the G20 Summit. India is a land of diversity of faith, spirituality and traditions. Many major religions of the world were born here, and every religion of the world has found respect here.

He also said, this very notion of considering the world as one family, also connects every Indian with the sense of responsibility of 'One Earth'. It is with this spirit of 'One Earth' that India has initiated the 'Lifestyle for Environment Mission.' With India's initiative and your support, the entire world is celebrating the 'International Year of Millets' this year, in alignment with the principles of Climate Security. In line with this spirit, India launched the 'Green Grids Initiative - One Sun, One World, One Grid', at COP-26.

While the Chandrayaan research findings will be beneficial for the entire humanity, said Modi, India is proposing the launch of the 'G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation' which will also be helpful to the entire world.

I am compelled to quote the PM extensively not because I have suddenly become his fan, but because of my conviction that when you call a spade a spade, you must appreciate what is good. Remember, I appreciated UP CM Yogi Adityanath for his Health ATM at the risk of some of my friends questioning if I am doing PR for Yogi!

If you read the 83-para G20 Summit declaration, you will see so much of one-ness in it and realise that tremendous efforts have gone into not just the drafting but the way the consensus has arrived at thanks to the persistent efforts from the Indian team of diplomats. This was done over 200 hours of non -stop negotiations, 300 bilateral meetings, 15 drafts, said Summit Sherpa Amitabh Kant. “In this, I was greatly assisted by two brilliant officers - Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur& Eenam Gambhir” he said in his post on X platform (formerly Twitter).

Historical & Path breaking #G20 Declaration with 100% consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in today’s world, Kant said.

There were obviously many give-and-takes in the 300 meetings, 15 drafts and negotiations to come to a 100% agreement, in a short time.

Now that the G20 euphoria will disappear, let us read the declaration in the context of the Indian scenario.

If the Indian government could manage such a massive task of consensus, why can’t the Government of India work on similar open, transparent, give-and-take kind of communication within the country? Can Modi and Co not work on the principles of 'VasudhaivaKutumbakam,' in India itself? Why do they have to resort to divide-and-rule or deflection strategies?

Simply put, if you are able to appreciate the heads of China and Russia for not coming for the Delhi summit, you should also be considering with an equally broad-minded approach the differences with the non-BJP governments in Bengal or Rajasthan.

Each and every line of the 83 paras can be read within the Indian context – be it the climate change, biofuel, health, corruption, cyber-attacks and wellbeing of the people.

The 37-page declaration said the G20 leaders “are determined to steer the world out of its current challenges and build a safer, stronger, more resilient, inclusive and healthier future for our people and the planet”.

One wishes that the G28 (Indian States) also arrive at such a consensus under the leadership of PM Modi by demonstrating open-mindedness and approach on all the issues concerning the nation. As we discussed earlier the Sab Ka Saath- Sab Ka Vikas and Double Engine should be made applicable to the entire G28 and not merely G-BJP.

I know it is going to be difficult, but not certainly impossible. Ten years ago, we did not have the kind of hatred in the country as we experience today. It may take some time to undo the hatred policy and what day is better than the Gandhi Jayanti day to start this G28 consensus?

The opposition criticises the BJP government mainly on three issues – price rise, unemployment and hatred. Is it so difficult to arrive at consensus on these?

As friend S Narendra wrote in his book India’s Tipping Point, the PV Narsimha Rao Government did arrive at a consensus on the tricky Ayodhya issue. But of course, the BJP broke the solemn promise. Please don’t expect the current Congress leadership to hold the BJP to it because they have forgotten PV. But, to be pragmatic, it will be a good idea to invite all parties to the Ram temple opening in January. Before that, it is important to reach out to the different political parties with the true spirit of cooperative federalism – just as the Team Amitabh Kant fanned out different country diplomats and heads.

Yes, there is yet another huge opportunity for the government to reach out to the opposition as it braces for the special Parliament session.

Whether the government likes it or not, the opposition and the independent media are bound to raise questions that they have been asking. They have already started talking about the taxpayers’ money spent on the extravaganza at G20 and the real achievements for India. It will do us good if the government comes out clean with one consolidated statement rather than letting its loose cannons out.

All the good things that were talked about in the G20 declaration are definitely nice ideas for implementation within the country or to form the baseline for the BJP’s manifesto for the 2024 general elections.

Let us examine the tricky paras that the Western diplomats managed to stick to:

“We condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including those on the basis of xenophobia, racism and other forms of intolerance, or in the name of religion or belief, recognizing the commitment of all religions to peace. It constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

“We note the UNGA Resolution A/RES/77/318, particularly its commitment to promote respect for religious and cultural diversity, dialogue and tolerance. We also emphasize that freedom of religion or belief, freedom of opinion or expression, the right to peaceful assembly, and the right to freedom of association is interdependent, inter-related and mutually reinforcing and stresses the role that these rights can play in the fight against all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief. In this regard, we strongly deplore all acts of religious hatred against persons, as well as those of a symbolic nature without prejudice to domestic legal frameworks, including against religious symbols and holy books.”

India could not obviously resist this part that has formed a key part of the Delhi declaration and I wonder why our leadership cannot put down religious intolerance and stop prompting certain TV channels to fan it under the guise of ‘My Hinduism’.

Haven’t we discussed the point that perpetuating religious intolerance and hatred is worse than terrorism?

Modi led the G20 leaders to the Raj Ghat and said: “At the iconic Rajghat, the G20 family paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi - the beacon of peace, service, compassion and non-violence.

“As diverse nations converge, Gandhi Ji’s timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future.”Let October 2 mark the beginning of Sab Ko Sanmati de Bhagawan.

We shall discuss the environmental aspects of G20 and their applicability to G28 later.

(The columnist is a Mumbai-based independent media veteran, running websites and a youtube channel known for his thought-provoking messaging.)