The recently concluded 14th G20 Summit was held in Osaka, Japan on the 28th and 29th of June, 2019. The summit was centered around vital topics such as trade, energy, and climate change. Indian Prime Minister, attending his sixth G-20 summit, held a series of plurilateral meetings with world leaders from countries like Russia, USA, Japan, China, etc. India’s involvement also extended to two longitudinal trilaterals: the Russia-India-China (RIC) and Japan-U.S.-India (JAI), as well as an informal BRICS summit.
India’s Role in JAI Trilateral and Informal BRICS Meet
The JAI trilateral saw the three nations engage in discussions focused on issues concerning the Indo-Pacific region, connectivity and infrastructure development. This marked the second meeting between Japan, America, and India. During the informal BRICS meet, India underscored the necessity of eliminating all forms of support to terrorism and racism. The Indian PM labelled terrorism as “the biggest threat to humanity,” citing that it not only kills innocent people but also severely hampers economic development and social stability.
Bilateral Discussions and Economic Goals
Prior to the G-20 Summit, India and the US deliberated on various bilateral and global issues. The comprehensive discussions included subjects like Iran, 5G communications networks, trade, and defense. In terms of its economic goals, India announced its aim to evolve into a five-trillion dollar economy within the span of the next five years. The Indian government also pledged to prioritize the social sector and concentrate on infrastructural development, particularly in the realm of digital infrastructure. However, the Indian PM drew attention to the lack of resources, emphasizing the nearly $1.3 trillion shortfall in infrastructure investment.
| Event | Country/Countries Involved | Key Topics/Issues Discussed |
|---|---|---|
| JAI Trilateral | Japan, USA, India | Indo-Pacific region, connectivity, infrastructure development |
| Informal BRICS Meet | BRICS Countries | Terrorism and racism |
| Bilateral Discussions | India, USA | Iran, 5G, trade, defense |
| G20 Summit | G20 Countries | Trade, energy, climate change |
Collateral Engagements and Future Endeavors
On the sidelines of the G-20 summit, India and Japan signed a Letter of Intent on Ahmedabad – Kobe Sister City Partnership. India extended an invitation to the G20 countries asking them to join a global coalition on disaster resilience, justifying that disasters necessitate fast and effective remedial measures as they predominantly affect the poor. In another significant development, India and Indonesia established an ambitious USD 50 billion target for bilateral trade over the coming six years.
Last Modified: February 6, 2024