What’s the news?

• A historic shift in Saudi policy and key global developments raise prospects for peace; Israel’s absence at the 2023 G-20 summit draws attention.

Central idea

• The 2023 G-20 summit, held under India’s presidency, demonstrated India’s ability to address complex global challenges despite the group’s limited economic focus. India’s success at the summit, marked by various outcomes, garnered global attention.

Key Outcomes

• Inclusion of the African Union: The G-20 welcomed the African Union, expanding its reach and global inclusivity.
• Clean Energy Initiative: India offered a tangible solution through a biofuel alliance, promoting clean energy globally.
• Substantial Aid for Asia-Africa: Increased aid for Asia-Africa cooperation was pledged, promoting development in the region.
• Economic Corridor Announcement: The most significant surprise was the announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, connecting India to Europe via the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Israel.
• The Delhi Declaration: A joint statement issued by all G-20 members emphasized the need for global cooperation in a fractured international order.

What is the Delhi Declaration?

• The Delhi Declaration is a joint statement issued during the 2023 G-20 Summit held under India’s presidency.
• It serves as a summary of the key agreements, commitments, and principles that member nations of the G-20, a group of major economies, endorse during the summit.
• The declaration typically addresses various global challenges, including economic issues, climate change, geopolitical concerns, and social development.

What makes the Delhi Declaration a diplomatic triumph?

• Inclusivity:

• It is notable because it manages to garner the agreement of major world leaders, even in the context of international power struggles.
• Despite the absence of China’s President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the summit, India succeeded in obtaining their agreement for the declaration.
• This reflects India’s diplomatic acumen in bridging divides and fostering consensus among diverse nations.

• Unity Amidst Differences:

• The declaration manages to bring together countries with differing perspectives and interests. It is often challenging to find common ground on complex issues such as territorial disputes or geopolitical conflicts, but the Delhi Declaration demonstrates that the G-20 member nations can set aside differences to agree on a common agenda.
• This unity is seen as a diplomatic success in a world marked by division and discord.

• Balancing Act:

• The Delhi Declaration strikes a balance between addressing global issues and not directly naming certain nations for their actions. In this case, it avoids naming Russia for its aggression against Ukraine but emphasizes the importance of upholding the United Nations charter and principles of territorial sovereignty.
• This balanced approach allows each member to find something in the declaration that aligns with their interests, contributing to its success.

• Diplomatic Skill:

• India’s diplomats and leadership employed effective diplomatic strategies in crafting the Delhi Declaration. By creating a text that caters to the interests of each member, they ensured that all participating nations could claim a win.
• This diplomatic skill in negotiation and consensus-building is viewed as a triumph for India’s presidency.

What is IMEC?

• The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is an economic initiative aimed at creating a strategic trade and transportation corridor that connects India with the Middle East and Europe.
• It was established through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the leaders of India, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Italy, and the EU on September 10 in New Delhi.
• IMEC envisions the development of a reliable and cost-effective transport network, including railways and ship-to-rail transit, to facilitate the movement of goods and services between India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and the European Union (EU).
• It seeks to offer an alternative route for trade between Asia and Europe, reducing transit times and logistics costs compared to existing maritime routes like the Suez Canal.

What makes this initiative a game-changer?

• Geopolitical Significance: The corridor’s establishment is seen as a transformative move in the geopolitics of the region. It directly challenges China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which has been a major driver of China’s influence globally. By offering an alternative route and infrastructure, it diversifies strategic options for countries in the region and potentially reduces their reliance on the BRI.
• Economic Benefits: The corridor has the potential to significantly boost trade and economic ties between India and Europe, two major economic regions. It’s expected to stimulate economic growth, create opportunities for investment, and contribute to prosperity along the corridor.
• Improved Connectivity: The project enhances connectivity between regions, not only economically but also culturally. Enhanced connectivity can foster stability and cooperation among participating countries.
• Diplomatic Significance: India’s success in securing the participation of Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, underscores its diplomatic influence and the importance of its strategic relationships in the region.
• Global Recognition: The corridor’s announcement received international recognition, with leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden acknowledging its significance. This recognition highlights its potential to have a far-reaching impact on the global economic and geopolitical landscape.
• Regional Development: The corridor has the potential to be a catalyst for regional development. It could encourage investment in infrastructure, technology, and industries along the route, leading to job creation and improved living standards for local populations.
• Security Considerations: The corridor’s success is closely tied to regional stability and cooperation. It could incentivize countries in the Middle East, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, to work towards diplomatic normalization and conflict resolution. Achieving peace in the region is crucial for the corridor’s successful realization.

Israel’s Absence from the G-20 and Possible Factors

• Israel’s absence from the 2023 G-20 summit, despite its involvement in the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor project, leads to questions about the reasons behind this decision.

• Diplomatic Normalization: Diplomatic normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia may have played a role. The economic corridor project might have been linked to diplomatic normalization efforts, delaying public recognition of Israel’s involvement until full normalization was achieved.
• Avoidance of Domestic Politics: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to publicly acknowledge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative for the economic corridor could be a result of domestic political considerations. Netanyahu might have wanted to avoid appearing too eager for diplomatic achievements, given his domestic political situation.
• U.S. Administration’s Preferences: The U.S. administration’s avoidance of Netanyahu for eight months due to domestic politics suggests that U.S. preferences or concerns might have influenced Israel’s role in the summit.
• Regional Sensitivities: The complexities of the Middle East and sensitivities surrounding Israel’s involvement with Middle Eastern countries might have influenced the host’s decision on the guest list for the summit.

Way Forward: A Push for Peace

• Saudi Arabia’s Diplomatic Shift: Saudi Arabia’s decision to end its diplomatic boycott of Israel signifies a historic opportunity for progress in the Middle East. This shift should be leveraged to promote peace and stability in the region.
• Influencing Other Nations: Saudi Arabia’s acceptance of Israel could serve as a positive example for other Muslim-majority nations. Efforts should be made to encourage countries like Pakistan, Indonesia, and Malaysia to engage in diplomatic relations with Israel, fostering broader regional cooperation.
• Conditional Diplomacy: Recognizing the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, diplomatic efforts should continue with a commitment to the two-state solution and the well-being of the Palestinian people as key conditions for acceptance. This approach acknowledges the need for a just and lasting resolution.
• Promoting Negotiations: The Peace Day Effort initiated by Saudi Arabia, supported by the Arab League and the European Union, offers a path to incentivize Israeli and Palestinian leaders to come to the negotiating table. International stakeholders should continue to support and facilitate these efforts.
• Addressing Extremism: While pursuing diplomacy, it is crucial to address extremism on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Counteracting extremism and promoting dialogue and reconciliation are essential components of any sustainable peace process.

Conclusion

• The 2023 G-20 summit under India’s presidency showcased India’s leadership in addressing global challenges. Israel’s absence raised questions, but the path to diplomatic normalization and peace in the Middle East may have played a role. As India continues to drive global cooperation, the world watches with anticipation.

Also read:

India-Middle East-Europe Corridor: The way to a new world order

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