PM Modi's article on India's chairmanship of G-20: Initiative will be taken to bring fundamental change in mindset for human welfare

The past 17 G-20 presidencies have produced significant results, including ensuring macroeconomic stability, rationalizing international taxation, and reducing the debt burden of various countries. We will benefit from these achievements and move forward from here. Now, that India has assumed the important responsibility of G-20 Chairmanship, I ask myself, can G-20 still go further? Can we initiate a fundamental change in mindset for the welfare of the entire humanity? I believe yes, we can do this.

Circumstances shape our mindset. The form of humanity which should have been there since the past, there was some deficiency in it. We fought for limited resources because our survival depended on depriving others of those resources. Confrontation and competition between ideas, ideologies and identities were considered ideal. Unfortunately, we are still stuck in that same zero-sum mindset. We see this when different countries fight among themselves for some territory or resources. We see this when the supply of essential commodities is weaponised. We see this when vaccines are hoarded by a few, even though billions of people are vulnerable to diseases. Some may argue that confrontation and greed are human nature.

If humans are inherently selfish, how to explain the enduring appeal of all the spiritual traditions that advocate a fundamental oneness in all of us? One such tradition prevalent in India is that all living beings and even non-living things are made up of the same five basic elements – earth, water, fire, air and sky. Harmony between these elements in our inner and outer environment is essential for our physical, social and environmental well-being. India's G-20 chairmanship will work towards promoting this universal spirit of unity. That's why our theme is One Earth, One Family, One Future. It is not just a slogan. It takes into account recent changes in the human condition that we have collectively failed to appreciate.

During the G-20 Presidency, we will present India's experience, knowledge and model as a possible template for others, especially developing countries. Our G-20 priorities will be determined in consultation not only with our G-20 partners, but also with our often-unheard allies in the Global South. Our priorities will focus on preserving our 'One Earth', building harmony in our 'One Family' and anticipating our 'One Future'.

To nurture our planet, we will encourage a sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle based on the Indian tradition of caring for nature. To promote harmony within the human family, we will seek to depoliticize the global supply of food, fertilizer and medical products, so that geopolitical tensions do not become the cause of humanitarian crisis. As in our families, those who are most in need should be the first ones to be concerned about. To instill hope in our future generations, we will encourage an honest dialogue among the most powerful nations on reducing the risks posed by weapons of mass destruction and enhancing global security. India's G-20 agenda will be inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive. Let us unite to make India's G20 Presidency a Presidency of Protection, Harmony and Hope. Let us work together to shape the new paradigm of human-centred globalization.