Context
- Recently, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India has successfully completed the third G20 Tourism Working Group meeting, held from 22nd to 24th May 2023 in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir.
- In this context, this edition of the burning issue will discuss this meeting, the G20 grouping, its work and achievements and failures.
About G20 and its Tourism working group
- What: The Group of Twenty, or G20, is the premier forum for international cooperation on the most important aspects of the international economic and financial agenda. It brings together the world’s major advanced and emerging economies.
- When: The G20 was created in response to both the financial crises that arose in a number of emerging economies in the 1990s and to a growing recognition that some of these countries were not adequately represented in global economic discussion and governance.
- Who are the members? The G20 comprises 19 countries and European Union. The Countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK, and USA.
- India, under its G20 Presidentship, has created the Tourism working group to promote tourism and hold significant discussions on tourism during its presidentship period.
About the Srinagar Summit
- 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Summit: The Srinagar summit is actually the 3rd G20 Tourism Working Group Summit. The first summit was held at Rann of Kutch and the second is Darjeeling. This meeting would take forward discussions from the previous G20 Tourism track meeting held at Rann of Kutch and Darjeeling in 2023.
- 5 priority areas: India’s G20 Tourism Working Group has identified five priority areas viz. Green Tourism, Digitalization, Skills, Tourism MSMEs and Destination Management, for our Presidency.
- Achievement of SDGs: All the priorities were welcomed and endorsed by participating G20 delegates in the previous meeting. Under the broad theme of “Travel for LiFE”, the G20 Tourism track is working to further the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals through green, inclusive and resilient tourism development.
- G20 members would submit their suggestions in writing by 26th May, 2023 which will form part of the final draft of the roadmap prepared in consultation with UNWTO that will be presented at the 4th Tourism Working Group Meeting to be held in Goa in June followed by the tourism declaration at the Ministerial Meet.
Significance of holding summit in Srinagar
- Strategically located: This G20 summit is very significant as Jammu & Kashmir is strategically located. It is bordered by China and Pakistan, with volatile borders of LoC and LAC.
- Urban transformation: The G20 Summit preparations in Srinagar have resulted in urban transformation of the city such as the newly redeveloped Polo market which has been praised by G20 delegates also.
- Showcasing New Kashmir: Kashmir in Western media is generally shown in a state of turmoil that tarnishes the image of India. Therefore, organizing a Global event like this in Kashmir will help India showcase a different picture of Kashmir to the world.
- Promoting tourism and craft: Kashmir is home to a number of crafts and beautiful landscapes. Such a meeting will help promote Kashmir’s art and craft as well as tourism in the state. For example, the Ministry of Tourism gave Paper Mache Box, Kashmir saffron, Kawa cups etc. as souvenir to G20 delegates.
Outcomes of the Summit
- The event saw the ‘Launch of Travel for LiFE Programme’ to encourage citizens to make conscious use of tourism resources through responsible tourism practices during their travels.
- The draft ‘National Strategy on Film Tourism’ was unveiled which will provide a roadmap for harnessing the role of films in promoting tourist destinations.
- Impact of Film Tourism: A panel discussion with G20 member countries including Spain, Singapore, Mauritius, Nigeria, South Africa, Brazil and India. The panel deliberated upon the impact of Film Tourism on economic benefits and its role in promoting the destination globally.
- Discussion on the 2nd draft of the Goa Roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
- There are two key deliverables of the Tourism Working Group, which are GOA Roadmap for tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable development goals and G20 Tourism Ministers’ Declaration.
A boycott by China and Saudi Arabia
- China has said it will not attend, citing its firm opposition “to holding any kind of G20 meetings in the disputed territory”
- Similarly, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye have also decided to stay away from the meeting.
Overall significance of the G20 Group
Achievements
- It brought increased participation of emerging countries in global issues. It helped provide a platform for developing countries to interact with developed nations and become part of the global decision-making process.
- The improvement in the regulations of the economies whose problems led to the crisis and the creation of safety nets to prevent problems in the future.
- The G20 also specifically helped to provide emergency funds during the 2008 crisis and plays an important role in financing development.
Shortcomings of the Group
- No permanent secretariat: Simultaneously, the informal structure of the G20, with a rotating chair and no permanent secretariat, means that agendas are determined each year by the chair and so can swing widely, and formal mechanisms to monitor follow-through on countries’ public commitments are weak.
- Considered Bias: The G20 is composed of 20 large and important economies. This creates a situation in which small countries have to follow their big brothers, in order to survive.
- Failed to live up to the expectations: Finance ministers and heads of state now come to the table with their hands tied, their positions determined in advance by their governments and a formal script that precludes meaningful and creative compromises.
- More showoff and less efficient: Meetings have become talkfests and photo opportunities. The willingness to come together in the hostile environment of late 2008 and early 2009 has entirely dissipated. The G20 agenda utterly fails to break with the tired, broken policies of the free market.
- Lack of consensus: At recent summits, countries have struggled to reach a unified consensus—the hallmark of previous iterations of the conference—as the interests of high- and low-income economies continue to diverge.
Way forward
- Enhance inclusivity: Expand the representation of countries to include emerging economies, developing nations, and regions that are underrepresented. This broader participation will provide a more comprehensive perspective and ensure that the G20 reflects the diversity of the global economy.
- Strengthen cooperation: Foster greater cooperation and collaboration among G20 members by encouraging open dialogue, knowledge sharing, and joint problem-solving. This could involve establishing working groups on specific topics and providing platforms for regular discussions.
- Support international trade: Promote free and fair trade by reducing barriers, avoiding protectionist measures, and advancing negotiations on trade agreements. Encouraging open markets and fair competition can stimulate economic growth and benefit all participating countries.
- Follow up on commitments: Ensure that commitments made during G20 meetings are followed through and implemented effectively. Establish mechanisms for monitoring progress and holding member countries accountable for their commitments.
Conclusion
- The successful conclusion of the meeting in Kashmir with more than 60 attendees is a testimony of India’s international might and powerful diplomacy.
- However, the overall effectiveness of the grouping is still questionable. Thus, there is a need to strengthen the group by making it more inclusive and outcome-oriented.
Q. What is G-20? Discuss its mandate. How does it affect India’s geopolitical interests in context of the recent summit held at Srinagar? (250 Words)
