Ada Dyndo conducts an interview with Shairee Malhotra on India’s role in G20. Shairee Malhotra serves as a Coordinator of the T20 India Taskforce on Reformed Multilateralism for India’s G20 presidency.
Ada Dyndo: How would you explain India’s focus on the Global South during its G20 presidency?
Shairee Malhotra: The Global South has been a key focus during India’s G20 presidency. While it is understandable that the Russia-Ukraine war is a major concern globally, there are equally pressing challenges confronting the world including climate change, supporting the SDGs, and debt crises. Many of these challenges disproportionately impact nations of the Global South that represent 85% of the world’s population and require urgent attention. India’s goal was to have a constructive G20 aiming to collaborate on issues that pertain to development and impact most of humanity. In this context, India hosted the Voice of Global South Summit to amplify issues confronting developing countries. At the same time, India has also increasingly acted as a “bridge” between the North and South.
Ada Dyndo: What, according to you, could be the most lasting legacy of India’s G20 presidency?
Shairee Malhotra: India’s G20 presidency has had a unique focus on Africa in tandem with its broader focus on the Global South. PM Modi has pushed for full G20 membership of the African Union – a crucial step towards reforming multilateralism. This is conceptually feasible, since the European Union is already a member of the G20.
The logic is simple and sound – a Union of 55 countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people cannot be marginalised in a forum where global challenges such as sustainable development, economic recovery, and climate change – many of which disproportionately affect the African continent – are being deliberated upon. To contextualise, the EU has a population of less than 450 million. To enhance the legitimacy and effectiveness of the G20 as well as empower the African continent and its immense potential, the inclusion of the African Union as a G20 member is an important step towards a more representative global governance architecture. The G20 decision-making process is based around consensus between all member states. If the remaining countries agree with India’s proposal, this would be a crucial legacy from India’s G20 presidency.
Ada Dyndo: India identified several priorities for its G20 presidency. What are the three most important ones from the perspective of EU-India cooperation?
Shairee Malhotra: I think multilateral reforms, and energy transition and climate change are two important areas from the perspective of EU-India relations. These are key priorities on both the G20 agenda as well as the EU-India agenda and India’s bilateral ties with EU member states.
The Paris Agreement increased EU-India convergence, resulting in climate change becoming a central pillar in the partnership. Since then, India and Europe are working together through a number of bilateral agreements with the EU but also member states such as Italy, Germany, Sweden, in renewables as well as newer technologies such as green hydrogen. With their collaborative experiences, India and the EU present a compelling case of North-South cooperation, which is a prerequisite to achieving progress on many global challenges.
That multilateralism is in crisis is no secret, and for middle powers India and the EU, multilateral reforms are crucial. India is the world’s fastest growing economy and a stable world order is vital for further growth. The EU is itself a multilateral construct based on the rule of law. China and Russia’s assertive actions and respective weaponisation of trade and energy have only increased the need for an effective rules-based order that amongst other goals, secures supply chains and enables an open and stable Indo-Pacific region through which a majority of world trade now transits through.
Ada Dyndo: How is India contributing to the peace efforts in Ukraine?
Shairee Malhotra: India has condemned the conflict due to its disruptive impact everywhere but particularly on countries in the Global South in the form of the crisis of the three F’s – food, fuel, fertilisers. In sync with this position, India’s focus has been on finding a solution and urging for diplomacy and dialogue to prevail, while reiterating the core principles of the UN Charter of territorial integrity and sovereignty. India has also played a behind-the-scenes role in many instances, such as defusing the situation around Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and in the UN-led grain deal between Russia and Ukraine. Besides this, India has provided significant humanitarian assistance to Kyiv in the form of medical equipment and other relief supplies. In today’s volatile geopolitical context, India represents a much-needed reasonable voice urging for a return to the negotiating table.
Ada Dyndo: Do you think a G20 joint communiqué from the upcoming G20 Leaders’ Summit will be achievable?
Shairee Malhotra: Wording on the G20 communiqué will be challenging to navigate in a polarised forum, but remember it was PM Modi’s statement that “today’s era is not the era of war” that made its way into the final communiqué at the G20 summit in Bali last year. India is on the side of peace and will try to navigate the communiqué in sync with its position and focus on finding a solution to the conflict. Either way, a joint statement is certainly not the only way to measure success. Pushing the needle forward on technical reforms is just as important.
Ada Dyndo: You were involved in Think20 India – an official Engagement Group of the G20 that brings together think tanks and high-level experts to discuss policy issues relevant to the G20. As Coordinator of Task-force 7 (TF7): ‘Towards Reformed Multilateralism: Transforming Global Institutions & Frameworks’, how was your experience?
Shairee Malhotra: Think20 India’s Task-force 7 on Reformed Multilateralism brought together experts from 18 of the world’s top institutions to deliberate reforms for a multilateral order in crisis. This is perhaps amongst the most difficult topics under the G20 ambit given the critical importance of multilateralism on the one hand, and the general cynicism and pessimism that surrounds it on the other.
The work-streams under TF7 included UN reforms, digital governance, WTO reforms and policy coordination between multilateral groupings. It was a wonderful learning experience to coordinate the TF7 deliberations throughout the year and liaise with such eminent global scholars, beginning with the T20 inception conference and culminating in the T20 summit in Mysuru. The policy recommendations are captured in the Taskforce 7 statement, which is available here: https://t20ind.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Task-Force-7-digital.pdf.
These recommendations now need to be translated into action for global governance to become more effective. This will be an ongoing process that will continue as Brazil – another country from the Global South – takes over the G20 baton from India.
On my part, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and past year to make my small contribution to the nation and India’s G20 presidency.
Shairee Malhotra is Associate Fellow, Europe with the Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) Strategic Studies Programme in New Delhi.
Shairee has several years experience working in Brussels – the headquarters of the European Union, at the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS), and at the European External Action Service (EEAS) – the official foreign policy arm of the EU – where she was selected at a success rate of only 1% for non-EU nationals.
Her writings and views have been featured in Haaretz, Hindustan Times, The Independent, Forbes, The Hindu, WION, EU Observer, Brussels Times, South China Morning Post, The Diplomat, The National Interest, Deccan Herald, LSE, Caravan amongst other prestigious platforms.
Shairee was recently awarded as a Top 40 Under 40 EU-India Leader by the Europe India Centre for Businessu & Industry (EICBI) for shaping the growth of EU-India relations.
Ada Dyndo is a seasoned expert on the Indian market, with over nine years of experience living in India. She specialized in bridging Polish and Indian businesses through tailored consultancy services (adadyndo.com). She has held prominent leadership roles, including Head of the Mumbai Foreign Trade Office for the Polish Investment and Trade Agency (PAIH) and Principal Consultant at the European Business and Technology Centre (EBTC) in New Delhi. Currently, she serves as Director of the India Desk at the Indo-Polish Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IPCCI). In 2022, Ada launched the WICCI India-EU Business Council, a platform dedicated to amplifying women’s voices in business. Recognized as one of the Top 40 Leaders Under 40 by the Europe India Centre for Business and Industry, Ada has also been honored with the Women Leaders Award by Her Key. An Indologist with two Master’s degrees and fluent in Polish, English, French, and Hindi, Ada brings a rich cultural perspective to her work. Having lived in Pune, Delhi, and Mumbai, she now resides in Puducherry, where she continues to foster impactful business connections between Poland and India.
Więcej informacji na temat: newslettera, polityki prywatności serwisu
czytaj więcej
We would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Patrycja Pendrakowska - the Boym Institute Analyst and President of the Board.
Patrycja PendrakowskaTSRG 2021: The Impacts of the BRI on Europe: The Case of Poland and Germany
It is important to contribute to the understanding of what the New Silk Road can mean in economic, political, leadership and cultural terms for the European countries involved. This analysis should reveal the practical consequences of the Belt and Road Initiative for Europe in the case of Poland and Germany, as well as their respective social effects.
We would like to inform, that Observer Research Foundation has published article of Krzysztof Zalewski - the Boym Institute Analyst, Chairman of the Board and Editor of the “Tydzień w Azji” weekly.
Krzysztof ZalewskiThis is the second part of an inquiry into Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC). In this part of paper, I look into some of the plans and/or solutions proposed in Ulaanbaatar’s 2040 GDPC.
Paweł SzczapBook review of "GDR International Development Policy Involvement. Doctrine and Strategies between Illusions and Reality 1960-1990, The example (South) Africa", written by Ulrich van der Heyden and published by Lit Verlag in 2013.
Nicolas LeviIndian Roundtable – Poland’s Challenges and Opportunities in the Subcontinent
In recent years, India has been the fastest growing among the major countries' economies in the world. (...) In the coming decades, the Subcontinent's largest country may remain one of the pillars of global economic growth. This is one of the reasons why the country is already the most popular destination for Polish foreign investment in the Asian-Pacific region.
Women in Public Debate – A Guide to Organising Inclusive and Meaningful Discussions
On the occasion of International Women's Day, we warmly invite you to read our guide to good practices: "Women in Public Debate – A Guide to Organising Inclusive and Meaningful Discussions."
Ada DyndoSaudi ‘Vision 2030’. How the Kingdom is using oil to end its economic overdependence on oil.
With the advent of clean energy technologies the Saudis realize they need to end their economic dependency on oil. ‘Vision 2030’ is a vast and complex plan that seeks to preserve Saudi Arabia’s regional power, economic prosperity, and - not the least - authoritarian rule in the post-oil future.
Jan KosińskiUzbekistan, under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, has embarked on a path of reform. Almost daily, the media there report on new initiatives and projects. It is no coincidence that in December 2019 The Economist awarded Uzbekistan the country of the year title.
Magdalena Sobańska-CwalinaCoronavirus and climate policies: long-term consequences of short-term initiatives
As large parts of the world are gradually becoming habituated to living in the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, global attention has turned to restarting the economy. One of the most consequential impacts of these efforts will be that on our climate policies and environmental conditions.
Dawid JuraszekThe Boym Institute message to Chinese policymakers and analysts
The EU-China relations require common perspective on Russia’s invasion on Ukraine
Join us for the Adam Institute’s Latest Online Course
Conflict resolution models have been primarily crafted and codified by men. The Adam Institute for Democracy and Peace invites you to be part of that much-needed change through an experiential and innovative Online Course "Conflict Resolution in the Context of Gender".
Roman Catholic cemetery in Harbin (1903-1958)
First burials of Catholics, mostly Poles but also other Non-Orthodox believers took place in future Harbin in the so called small „old” or later Pokrovskoe Orthodox cemetery in the future European New Town quarter and small graveyards at the military and civilian hospitals of Chinese Eastern Railway at the turn of XIX and XX century.
Jerzy Czajewski“Green growth” may well be more of the same
Witnessing the recent flurry of political activity amid the accelerating environmental emergency, from the Green New Deal to the UN climate summits to European political initiatives, one could be forgiven for thinking that things are finally moving forward.
Dawid JuraszekBook review: “North Korea’s Cities”
Book review of "North Korea’s Cities", written by Rainer Dormels and published byJimoondang Publishing Company in 2014.
Nicolas LeviIn the first part of this analysis of Ulaanbaatar’s winning 2040 General Development Plan Conception (GDPC) I look into the historical preconditions for the city’s planned development as well as present the legislative climate in which works on Ulaanbaatar’s future development strategies have recently found themselves.
Paweł SzczapCentral Asia. The winding road to regional integration
The aim of the paper is to present the current stage of integration among the Central Asian republics and to analyze directions and dynamics of this process in the nearest future. This study also attempts to identify factors which can either slow down or strengthen the process of integration as well as its causes and consequences.
Jerzy OlędzkiPaweł Behrendt for 9DASHLINE: The South China Sea – from colonialism to the Cold War
We would like to inform, that 9DASHLINE has published article of Paweł Behrendt - the Boym Institute Analyst, in which he wrote about history of the South China Sea dispute over the 20th century.
Paweł BehrendtSan Zhong Zhanfa or Three Warfares. Chinese Hybrid Warfare
Cognitive operations are becoming an increasingly significant and common element of non-kinetic military operations. States and other political players deliberately manipulate the way their actions, those of their allies and those of their adversaries are perceived by the governments and societies of other international players.
Paweł BehrendtThe strategic imperatives driving ASEAN-EU free trade talks: colliding values as an obstacle
Recently revived talks aimed at the conclusion of an inter-regional free trade agreement between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) are driven by strategic imperatives of both regions.
Robin RamcharanBeyond Grey Hulls: Europe’s Role in “Crowdsourcing” Maritime Domain Awareness in the South China Sea
If developments observed in the South China Sea over the recent months are of any indication, it simply means that the situation has worsened. China’s continued aggression towards its neighbors – the Philippines and Vietnam in particular, has continued unabated.
Collin KohChina – USA in the South China Sea
The trade war is just one of the problems of confrontation between the United States and the People's Republic of China. Many aspects of this competition coincide in the South China Sea.
Paweł BehrendtPolish women do not often become the heroines of media reports in Central Asia. In February 2020, however, it was different. The story of Agnieszka Pikulicka-Wilczewska, a journalist, "heated up" the headlines of local news portals. More importantly, "between the lines" she talked a lot about contemporary Uzbekistan and the role of women in politics.
Magdalena Sobańska-CwalinaThe countries of the Indochinese Peninsula are struggling with the problem of the deteriorating state of the Mekong River, which scientists and publicists are increasingly boldly describing as an ecological disaster. Alongside climate change, existing hydropower plants and those under construction in China and Laos are among the greatest threats. These ventures deepen the regional dispute over a river crucial to communities of tens of millions of people.
Jakub Kamiński