As the 2023 G20 Summit unfolds in Delhi, India, eminent leaders from around the world have gathered to partake in this significant global event. In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Karanraj Chaudri, Strategic Initiatives Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); Rahul Chhabra, former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India; and Nilaya Varma, Co-Founder & CEO of Primus Partners, engaged in a comprehensive discussion on the outcomes and impact of India's G20 Presidency.
Karanraj Chaudri initiated the conversation by highlighting that the world has reached the midpoint of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Central to this concept is the transition from an economy reliant on fossil fuels to one that embraces sustainable energy alternatives, such as biofuels and hydrogen.
Delving into the groundbreaking
infrastructure corridor agreement, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 9th, Rahul Chhabra emphasised its potential to serve as a blueprint for similar corridors if proven successful. This corridor, formally named the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), represents an unprecedented collaboration between India and the United States, encompassing India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, France, Italy, Germany, and the United States. It promises not only geopolitical significance but also economic opportunities for India.
Nilaya Varma expanded on the significance of this agreement, underlining India's pivotal role in its development and its potential to demonstrate a sustainable path forward to the world.
The
G20 Summit, an annual gathering guided by a rotating Presidency, sees India in the role of the presiding nation this year. Prime Minister Modi has suggested organizing a virtual session in November to assess the progress made on the discussed issues during the two-day summit, as India continues to shoulder the responsibilities of the G20 Presidency until November 2023.
In the concluding session, Modi handed over the gavel and conveyed his
warm wishes to Brazil as they prepared to assume the presidency. Brazil is scheduled to formally assume leadership of this esteemed group on December 1st of the current year.
For the entire discussion, watch the accompanying video