India achieves 100% consensus on G20 'New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration'
Author: Pragya Lal
New Delhi: In a remarkable display of diplomatic prowess, India secured unanimous approval for the 'New Delhi Leaders' Summit Declaration' on the very first day of the G20 Summit, garnering "100 per cent" consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues.The unanimity on geo-political issues in the Joint Declaration – was clinched over 200 hours of non-stop negotiations, 300 bilateral meetings, 15 drafts, says India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant of the unanimous Joint Declaration in which sources said the West was seen to have taken a step back from its insistence on criticising Russia.
The lengthy and intensive negotiations leading up to this milestone showcased India's ability to bring together diverse perspectives and forge common ground. The New Delhi Declaration paves the way for significant global developments, including the induction of the African Union as a full member of the G20, the establishment of a global biofuel alliance with India, the United States, and Brazil as founding members, and the announcement of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, promising to expedite trade between India and Europe by an estimated 40 percent.
The Declaration outlines an action plan designed to foster green development, endorse high-level principles for sustainable lifestyles, promote voluntary principles of hydrogen use, and introduce the Chennai principles for a sustainable and resilient blue economy, as well as the Deccan principles on food security and nutrition, among other initiatives.
The joint statement also highlighted Prime Minister Modi's vision of "Today's era must not be of war" and his concept of Lifestyles for Sustainable Development (LiFE).
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at a media briefing, underscored the Declaration's significance in shaping a sustainable future. With "100 per cent" consensus reached, the G20 Summit's opening day set a positive tone for addressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation, demonstrating India's leadership and diplomatic acumen on the world stage.
