G20 Summit: India's Priorities Resound, Global South Concerns Take Center Stage
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The G20 Summit in South Africa has adopted a declaration that echoes India's key concerns, including combating terrorism and climate change, despite US opposition. This marks a significant shift, as the declaration was adopted unanimously at the start, unlike the usual practice. India's push for Global South issues has been successful, with the declaration putting impoverished countries at the forefront. The document condemned terrorism in all its forms, a key demand from India following the Pahalgam terror attack. A major breakthrough on climate finance has been achieved, with the declaration calling for trillions of dollars to meet the Paris Agreement goals. Developing countries will need $5.9 trillion to implement their climate plans, and the declaration emphasizes the need for aligned financial flows. The disaster resilience and response efforts, initiated by India's G20 presidency, have been reinforced in the declaration. The document also recognized the role of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, co-led by India and France. The declaration highlighted the transformative potential of digital public infrastructure, where India is a world leader. The commitment to harness digital and emerging technologies, including AI, was reiterated ahead of India's AI Impact Summit in 2026. Women's empowerment and development have been encouraged, building on India's G20 presidency outcomes. The Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition were also reinforced. India has called for UN Security Council reforms to improve representation and make it more inclusive, efficient, and democratic. The declaration supports the inclusion of underrepresented regions, including Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
