India Takes over G20 Presidency

· India’s G20 Presidency will be Inclusive, Action-Oriented, PM Modi

· Indonesia gets Coal Subsidy from US and Japan after Hosting G20, India too can expect similar Gift for phasing out Coal

· Pressure on India to Ease Food Export

India’s G20 presidency will be “inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented”, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who accepted the ceremonial gavel from Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a handover event during the conclusion of the G20 summit in Bali on Wednesday. Mr. Modi, who also held meetings separately with the leaders of Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Singapore and the U.K., thanked Mr. Widodo at the event, and said that the world was looking to India’s leadership of the forum of the largest economies with “hope”.

“India is taking charge of the G20 at a time when the world is simultaneously grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising food and energy prices, and the long-term ill-effects of the pandemic,” Mr. Modi said during the closing ceremony. He said that India would give priority to “women-led development” in its G20 agenda, which would be driven by the recently unveiled theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”. India is expected to showcase its geographical and cultural diversity during the year, and will hold approximately 200 G20 meetings at different locations across the country.

Sources said that Mr. Modi’s bilateral talks with Mr. Widodo focussed on the problems of “food and energy security” that have particularly arisen due to the war in Ukraine. Earlier this year, Indonesia removed a ban on palm-oil exports due to global shortages, and the Indian ban on wheat, sugar and other commodities was also discussed.

Economic ties and strategic partnerships dominated Mr. Modi’s meetings with other G20 leaders. In his first meeting with the U.K.’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Mr. Modi raised issues of “trade, mobility, defence and security”, an MEA statement said. Oficials added that the India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement that missed its deadlines last month, was discussed.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Sunak said that he was “committed” to the FTA with India, but wouldn’t sacrifice “quality for speed”, and wanted to “take the time to get trade deals right”. The U.K. PM’s office said that Mr. Sunak, who is the first British Hindu PM of Indian-African origin, also “passed on his thanks to Prime Minister Modi for the overwhelming response of the Indian people to his appointment as Prime Minister.”

Talks and Gift Giving

While the issue of the Russian war in Ukraine overshadowed G20 proceedings on Wednesday, particularly after a number of missile strikes by Russia on Ukrainian cities. Talks between Mr. Modi and the European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. India PM gave away gifts mostly from Gujarat his home state to world leaders.

In a meeting with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the two leaders spoke about the “green partnership” on renewable energy, as well as strengthening trade and investment, the MEA said. It’s the third time this year that Mr. Modi has held talks with him.

The Prime Minister also met with Singapore PM Lee Hsein Loong and discussed the ASEAN-India partnership, bilateral ties, and increasing investment in “fintech, renewable energy, skill development, health and pharmaceutical sectors,” the MEA said.

“So wonderful to see my friend”, tweeted Australian PM Anthony Albanese of his meeting with Mr. Modi, adding that they discussed how India and Australia can “work more closely on Indo-Pacific security, including as Quad partners”.