On the eve of the G 20 Summit, India’s Leadership on global concerns and its views on a wide array of issues receive strong support – Shri Piyush Goyal

In Italy, Shri Piyush Goyal participated in the 6th G20 Sherpas’ meeting from 27-29 Oct and held  bilateral meetings with many of his G20 counterparts (UK, Germany, France, EU, Indonesia and Singapore). Shri Goyal said that G20 has emerged as the premier global forum for international cooperation. He said that G 20 represents 80% of the world’s GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% of the world’s population

Italy is holding the Presidency of the G20 this year under the theme- ‘People, Planet, Prosperity’ with a focus on: “Recovery from the pandemic & strengthening global health governance, Economic recovery & resilience, Climate change & energy transition and Sustainable development & food security”

Speaking to the media Shri Goyal said that India fully supports the priority areas chosen by Italy. He said  that the agenda of the just concluded Sherpas’ meeting was to finalize the Rome Declaration, which will be adopted by the Leaders at the G20 Summit. The Minister said  that the G20 has endorsed India’s position that extensive COVID-19 immunization is a global public good and he was happy to get support from G20 colleagues for his suggestion on mutual recognition of travel docs, including  testing and vaccine certificates.

On the issue of Sustainable Development and food security, he said that India has emphasized that policies must protect interests of small and marginal farmers, and conserve local food cultures which in turn will significantly contribute to food security. Shri Goyal said that On Climate Change and Environment,  India has strongly spoken on the need for critical enablers for galvanizing global Climate action which includes commensurate, long term, concessional climate finance, access to affordable and sustainable technology, and commitment to adopt sustainable lifestyles, responsible consumption and production patterns and importance of meeting SDG-12 targets,  especially by the developed countries.

On the issue of post- Covid economic recovery, he said, as co-chairs of the G20 Framework Working Group, India is ensuring that there is no premature withdrawal of support and the most vulnerable sections are provided necessary support. G20 has agreed to extend the Debt Service Suspension Initiative till the end of 2021 thereby giving some breathing space to those in need and those who are vulnerable around the world.

Shri Goyal added that on the issue of Tax Reforms , India has pushed the G20 to address the mismatch between source of generation of profits and the jurisdiction where they are taxed. This will ensure that large MNCs pay a minimum effective corporate tax in the country of their operation.

Elaborating more on the deliberations, Shri Goyal said that on    Anti-Corruption matters , India as the G20 co chair of the Anti Corruption working group this year, has contributed towards the 5 think pieces related to Asset Recovery, Information sharing, Law Enforcement Cooperation, Technology & Denial of Safe Haven.

On the issues concerning Women Empowerment, Education and Employment , the Minister for Commerce & Industry Textiles, Consumer Afairs, Food and Public Distribution,  said that  India supports G20’s emphasis on women’s empowerment. India has strongly advocated for the inclusion of language against gender-based violence and supported the new policy framework of G20 on ‘remote working arrangements’.

Shri Goyal added that India highlighted the importance of recovery of the Tourism sector especially given the impact of COVID-19 on this sector. India welcomes G20’s focus on creative economy and preserving cultural heritage. The Minister said that India strongly pushed for the need for balancing the ‘data free flow with trust’ narrative with cross border data flows and accommodating development imperatives of the developing countries. He added that India has emphasized the importance of using ‘data for development’.

The Minister emphasized that India’s voice in G20 represents the voice of all developing countries. He noted that It was following PM Modi’s suggestion to the Saudi Leadership in 2020 that, G20 convened an extraordinary Summit on the COVID-19 situation last year

This year, Italy convened a special summit to leverage the G20’s influence in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. G20 also focused on the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, especially the rights of women, children, minorities and vulnerable people in Afghanistan, according to the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and other relevant international instruments.

Shri Goyal said that India is going to take on the G20 Presidency during 1 Dec, 2022-30 Nov 2023 and enter the Troika in December this year and will take leadership on the issues and concerns of developing countries and emerging market economies in the G20 forum.