January 4 – GS2/International Relations: 2026 | UPSC Daily Answer Writing Practice PDF Download

Q: Discuss how India utilized the G20 platform to advance its multilateral interests and its potential to reshape global economic architectures. (150 words)

Introduction

• The G20 is an important group that includes 85% of the world's economy and two-thirds of its people. It focuses on economic cooperation and global governance.
• In 2023, India took on the presidency of the G20 and used this opportunity to promote its interests on a global scale. India emphasized inclusive development, climate action, and support for the Global South.
• Despite some geopolitical challenges, India was able to achieve consensus on the New Delhi Declaration, which highlighted the importance of multilateralism.

Body

India’s Utilization of the G20 Platform to Advance Multilateral Interests

Championing the Global South

• Voice of the Global South Summit: At this summit, India brought attention to the significant $1.8 trillion climate finance gap that developing nations face. India advocated for the interests of developing countries in crucial areas such as debt restructuring, climate finance, and technology transfer.
• African Union Inclusion: India played a pivotal role in pushing for the African Union to become a permanent member of the G20. This move aimed to enhance the representation and voices of the Global South within the group.

Advancing Technology-Driven Development

• Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India showcased its successful Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives, including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), Aadhaar, and the CoWIN platform. These examples were presented to promote scalable and inclusive digital solutions that other countries could adopt.
• Global Digital Public Infrastructure Repository: India launched this initiative to facilitate knowledge sharing among countries regarding digital public infrastructure solutions.

Focus on Sustainable Development and Green Growth

• Climate Action: India emphasized the importance of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) principles during the G20 discussions. These principles promote sustainable consumption practices to address environmental challenges.
• Renewable Energy Transition: India proposed initiatives to scale up solar energy through the One Sun, One World, One Grid vision. Additionally, the Global Biofuel Alliance was introduced to enhance biofuel production and usage worldwide.

Regional Connectivity:

• India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC): This corridor was unveiled during India’s G20 presidency as a strategic alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). IMEC aims to improve trade route efficiency, potentially reducing transit times by 40%.

India’s Role in Reshaping Global Economic Architectures

• Reforming Multilateral Institutions: India stressed the need for fairer representation of developing economies in the decision-making processes of multilateral institutions.
• Debt Relief for Vulnerable Economies: India advocated for frameworks that facilitate debt restructuring for countries in crisis, such as Sri Lanka.
• Leadership in Disaster Resilience and Climate Financing: India called for integrating disaster risk reduction into economic policies, particularly focusing on vulnerable regions like small island nations. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) was also highlighted as an important initiative at the G20.
• Digital Financial Architecture: India’s UPI system has gained international recognition and has been implemented in countries like Bhutan, the UAE, Malaysia, and Singapore. It serves as a model for digital financial architecture globally.

Conclusion

• India’s leadership in the G20 showcased its ability to guide global discussions towards fairness, inclusivity, and sustainability. By advocating for the Global South and pushing for reforms in global financial systems, India positioned itself as a key player in shaping the future of multilateral cooperation.