The phrase “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is a Sanskrit Script three word Line that collectively says “The world is one family”. The verse finds its mention in Maha Upanishad (VI.72) and is further referred to in the Hitopadesha and other literary works of India. The core message of the subject emphasizes the significance of all life - human, animal, plant, and microorganism - as well as how interdependent they are both on Earth and throughout the cosmos. The subject also perfectly encapsulates LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), which emphasizes the significance of environmentally sound lifestyle decisions at both the individual and societal levels in order to create a cleaner, greener, and bluer future. This deep-rooted phrase has been chosen as the theme of the G20 Summit, 2023 as it holds its troika Presidency this year. The other two countries of this troika are Indonesia and Brazil. With India being President it is the first ever G20 meeting held in Global South. By this India becomes the representative to address the concerns that inhibit the development of the Global South. The G20 presidency holds immense opportunity in steering international coordination towards economic stability and prosperity, which is in general a plenary goal of the G20 Organisation.

G20 Organisation originally concentrated on addressing macroeconomic concerns and financial dangers but by separating into finance and sherpa streams, it has demonstrated it’s heterogeneity and Contextual importance. It has pushed it’s boundaries to include working groups on developmental issues related to the digital economy, environment, education, employment, and so on. India has not only prioritized financial growth but also includes green development, climate finance, and LiFE, accelerated and inclusive growth, technological transformation and digital infrastructure, multilateral institutions for the 21st century, and women-led development.

The UT of Kashmir is also a part of this year-round meetings and delegations of this G20 meeting, in this line of thought there is another side of this story from the perspective of Mohammad Junaid, Assistant Professor of Sociology who shared his views with Al-Jazeera. According to him, India is trying to put a veneer of normalcy in the case of UT of Kashmir to claim that this is a done deal and the international community must accept it. According to him, India is primarily misusing it’s presidency of G20 right now flouting international law because it sends a wrong signal to the big powers that they can forcibly control a region and the international community must accept it as a fait accompli. It also wants to legitimize what it did on 5th August 2019 which was an undemocratic and unilateral annexation of Kashmir. He also says that the countries participating in Kashmir G20 have made a bad choice! According to former Chief Minster of Kashmir Ms. Mehbooba Mufti This meeting is being held after putting the common masses hostage she also said Kashmir has become the “Guantanamo of India”. But it is not wrong to say that in the name of the G20 meeting Kashmir has been put to the rapid development of infrastructure, roads, and beautification of the capital city Srinagar. It has also bought a lot of tourists as a sign of safety from terrorism which it was once home to. A number of Film industry people have signed agreements for shooting their upcoming films in this valley thereby promoting employment to many in the queue.

Collectively we can say the G20 meeting has not only put India on the fast track of the 5 trillion economy target, and set an image of a powerful nation, but it has also led to regional-level development and widespread change of face urban, rural, and local India that was seen 10 years down the line. Hence G20 meeting becomes a success for overall India. 

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