Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'PM Modi plays a heroic role in G-20 Osaka summit' that was published in Newsband

PM Modi plays a heroic role in G-20 Osaka summit

The countries that make up the G-20 (19 nations and the European Union) account for 85% of the world’s nominal GDP. Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the occasion of the G-20 summit at Osaka for as many as 20 meetings, including nine bilaterals, eight pull-aside engagements, and of the Russia-India-China, Japan-U.S.-India and Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa groupings.

There was also President Donald Trump’s meetings with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping and Modi on trade tensions which ended with no breakthrough or “big deals”. U.S. and China have called a halt to raising tariffs until they resolve issues. Both come as a relief to India,

Modi raised several Indian concerns, including the need for cooperation on dealing with serious economic offenders and fugitives, as well as climate change funding.

With Saudi Arabia hosting the next G-20 in 2020, followed by Italy in 2021, all eyes will soon turn to the agenda India plans to highlight when India holds the G-20 summit in 2022.

The G-20 summit stands for a group of 20. Let's hope that by 2020 we make it a group of unity amidst many. India should use this moment to the fullest in order to tackle unilateralism and G-20 is the perfect medium at the perfect time to spread multilateralism. It's time to tackle the world's biggest problems in a pluralistic manner. Together everyone achieves more.

Modi and other G-20 leaders resolved to prevent the use of the Internet to fund and facilitate terrorism and extremism, saying that while the Internet must be “open, free and secure”, it could not serve as a safe haven for terrorists. The rule of law applies online as it does offline. This must be achieved in a way that is consistent with national and international law, including human rights and fundamental freedoms such as freedom of expression and access to information, which should be held in high regard. ‘We commit to collaborate with states, international organisations, industry, and civil society in this endeavour,’ the leaders said.

Following the G20 summit, Russian President Putin said Western liberalism is “devouring itself” and defended Russia’s ban on “gay propaganda”.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shook hands with U.S. President Donald Trump, at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan. For many he’s an international pariah, but you wouldn’t know it by the lavish reception Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has received at the G20 summit this week. A U.N. expert has called for an investigation of his alleged role in the killing of a prominent journalist, and a growing number of Americans are questioning their nation’s support for his kingdom and its role in the war in Yemen. All the world leaders are curious to witness Saudi Arabia’s role as host of next year’s G-20 gatherings.

Trump, who has long been loath to scold authoritarian leaders for human rights abuses, seemed to go out of his way at times to shepherd Prince Mohammed, at one point patting him on the back as they walked together. Trump initially ignored reporters’ questions about the prince’s alleged role in Khashoggi’s death, but later he called the killing “horrible” while claiming that “nobody so far has pointed directly a finger at the future king of Saudi Arabia.” However, Saudi Arabia denies the 33-year-old crown prince had any knowledge of the killing of Khashoggi.

PM Modi used the G20 Summit to promote India’s traditional healing measures, Yoga and his flagship Ayushman Bharat health scheme. Modi also took part in a special session on empowerment of women. The session witnessed an in-depth dialogue on how to further women empowerment and work towards gender equality.

India has pitched strongly to deal with fugitive economic offenders. India claimed to have been working on tax evasion, corruption, economic offences and fugitive offenders running away [from the country].

It was also declared that India strongly believes in digital economy and has taken host of measures, including a huge number of bank accounts to thrust its digital agenda.