India Confident in Consensus Declaration at Upcoming G20 Summit in Rio

New Delhi: Just days ahead of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, India expressed optimism on Wednesday that Brazil’s G20 presidency will succeed in issuing a consensus leaders’ declaration. Despite geopolitical challenges, including conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia, Indian officials are hopeful of a collaborative outcome from the summit on November 18-19.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri highlighted that India will support Brazil’s flagship initiative, a global alliance against hunger and poverty, by joining two of its three pillars—the national and knowledge pillars. This alliance is designed to extend beyond G20 nations, inviting participation from non-G20 countries, international organizations, and civil society groups.

Misri acknowledged the complexities of the current global situation, which has become even more challenging since India hosted the previous G20 Summit in New Delhi. Misri noted that conflicts like those in Ukraine and West Asia are influencing discussions, yet he remained confident, stating, “We will be able to get a good declaration despite the complexities posed by these conflicts.”

India’s role in achieving consensus at last year’s G20 Summit in New Delhi set a precedent, with the New Delhi declaration providing a framework for approaching difficult geopolitical topics. Brazil has taken steps to simplify the discussions by removing sensitive language from ministerial documents, opting instead for a chair’s summary for certain issues. However, the leaders’ declaration in Rio will be a consolidated document, aimed at fostering agreement among all G20 nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming three-nation tour from November 16 will begin with a visit to Nigeria, followed by participation in the G20 Summit, and conclude with a trip to Guyana. Modi’s visit to Nigeria will include discussions with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where the two countries will explore areas for cooperation, including digital infrastructure and customs.

Modi’s visit to Guyana on November 19-21 will be the first by an Indian Prime Minister since 1968, and he is set to engage in bilateral talks with President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. Modi will address the Guyanese National Assembly and the Indian diaspora and co-chair the second India-CARICOM Summit with Grenada’s Prime Minister, focusing on regional cooperation.

Key issues on the Rio G20 agenda include progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), climate challenges, multilateral reforms, debt sustainability, and energy transition. Brazil’s priorities for this summit align closely with those championed by India last year, focusing on hunger, poverty, and reforming multilateral institutions to make them more responsive and effective.

India remains hopeful that the collaborative approach pioneered during its G20 presidency will support Brazil in achieving a meaningful consensus, even amidst a challenging global backdrop.