PHDCCI-IIPP Hosts a Roundtable Discussion on India’s G20 Presidency

28 April 2023 New Delhi: With India’s G20 Presidency this year, new opportunities have opened up and that should significantly help scaling up bilateral and subregional cooperation in South Asia as well. Under the aegis of its Think Tank “India-Nepal Centre” and in association with the Indian Institute of Public Policy (IIPP), PHDCCI organized a Roundtable Discussion on the central theme, “India’s G20 Presidency: Opportunity to Scale Up Bilateral and Subregional Cooperation for Inclusive Growth” at Ph.D. House, New Delhi.

Mr Muktesh K Pardeshi, Special Secretary (G20-Operations), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India was the “Chief Guest” and Amb Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, Ambassador of Nepal in India was the “Special Guest” on this occasion. The Session was chaired by Amb Mr. K V Rajan, Secretary (Retired), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India & Chair, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI. The program witnessed wide-ranging participation from the Diplomatic Fraternity, Industry, and Think Tanks.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Guest Amb Muktesh K Pardeshi, Special Secretary (G20-Operations) at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, informed that in its G20 Presidency, India has already organised the 100th meeting. He referred to it as an “Olympic movement” for Indian diplomacy and highlighted the Prime Minister’s commitment to holding G20 meetings across India, with at least one meeting in each state and union territory. Amb Pardeshi emphasized on the importance of making Indian diplomacy more people-centric and connected to the grassroots.

He also mentioned that the G20 has taken steps to include and represent different regions of the world, by inviting nine guest countries to the summit. These countries include Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain, and the United Arab Emirates. Amb Pardeshi described this as a great opportunity for the guest countries to become equal partners in the G20 process. He also stressed the importance of the voice of the Global South.

As the Special Guest of the event, Amb Dr. Shankar Prasad Sharma, Nepal’s Ambassador in India, highlighted the significance of regional and subregional cooperation between India and Nepal, especially on connectivity and economic fronts. He referred to the regional energy grid interconnection as a milestone event, particularly if it becomes operational during the G-20 period, and mentioned that it would benefit not only consumers but also the industry. The Ambassador also praised the UPI interface and digital money transfer for its potential to simplify payment processes and benefit consumers, businessmen, and tourists with possibility of further enhancing the ties between India and Nepal.

Moreover, Ambassador Sharma mentioned the Ramayan and Buddhist circuits, essential cultural sites in the region. He expressed hope for improved air, railway, and road connectivity between the two countries in the future and emphasized the need to enhance the facilities for food-fuel fertilizers and supply chain.

The Session was chaired by Amb K V Rajan, Secretary (Retired), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India & Chair, India-Nepal Centre, PHDCCI. Amb Rajan said that India’s G20 Presidency is well-timed and concerted efforts through the deliberations should go a long way in remarkably shaping the way the world is responding to the pressing challenges of our time. The time ahead should be used for reaching uncharted territories; industry should participate from the front in such a historic transforming phase.