NHS Media

GET NEWSLETTER

Shaping Global Agendas: Biden’s India Trip for G20 Summit

4 minutes read

Shaping Global Agendas: Biden’s India Trip for G20 Summit

4 minutes read

In a recent podcast, Dr. Qamar Cheema discussed the upcoming G20 summit in India and President Biden’s four-day visit to the country.

Key Points:

  • India is hosting the G20 Summit with grand celebrations and cultural extravagance. They have invited 29 musicians from G20 member states to showcase their culture and traditions, transforming what is typically a political event into a cultural showcase.
  • Russian President Putin is not attending the G20 Summit due to international arrest warrants for alleged war crimes from the International Criminal Court (ICC). This highlights the geopolitical complexities surrounding his potential arrest in an ICC member country.
  • President Biden’s four-day visit to India is longer than his visits to other countries. During this visit, discussions will cover crucial global issues such as clean energy, energy transition, climate change, and action, along with topics like the Ukraine conflict.
  • India’s increasing engagement with the global community signifies that its rhetoric and global influence are gaining legitimacy.
  • India is strategically positioning itself and investing in diplomacy, including cultural diplomacy, as a key component of its global political strategy.

Dr. Cheema began by highlighting the grandeur of the G20 summit celebrations in India, noting that they are on an unprecedented scale this year. India has extended invitations to 29 musicians from G20 member states, leveraging these artists to showcase its rich culture and traditions. The country has invested significant resources in this endeavour, transforming what is typically a political event into a cultural extravaganza. This showcases India’s ability to harness its culture to demonstrate its global influence.

Furthermore, Dr. Cheema touched upon the absence of Russian President Putin at the G20 summit. He pointed out that this absence is due to international arrest warrants for alleged war crimes issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Putin’s potential arrest in a member country of the ICC poses a significant challenge. Russia has denied the charges, highlighting its non-membership in the ICC. This situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the event.

Dr. Cheema then shifted the focus to President Biden’s visit, emphasizing that he will spend four days in India, a longer duration compared to his visits to other countries. The discussions during this visit will encompass critical global issues such as clean energy, energy transition, climate change, and action. Topics like the Ukraine conflict are also expected to be on the agenda. However, Dr. Cheema expressed his scepticism about the likelihood of a joint communique emerging from the meeting due to the global world order’s increasing polarization and evolving scenarios.

He also noted that several multilateral banks, including the World Bank, will participate in the summit, leading to the temporary closure of Delhi’s capital for security reasons. This precaution is taken whenever numerous world leaders gather in one location.

Dr. Cheema drew a historical parallel by mentioning past presidential visits, such as Bill Clinton’s six-day trip to India compared to his brief six-hour visit to Pakistan. This highlights the significance of the event for India’s Prime Minister Modi and underscores its importance in global politics.

He emphasized that this global leadership event is a crucial opportunity for India to convey its message to the world effectively. India’s increasing engagement with the global community signifies that its rhetoric is gaining traction and legitimacy. He also mentioned that Saudi Crown Prince MBS will be the state guest at the summit, highlighting India’s diplomatic efforts and protocol toward Saudi Arabia. Pakistan, in contrast, seems to be sidelined in this regard due to internal issues.

Dr. Cheema emphasized the need for Pakistan to demonstrate its soft power to the world, showcasing its youth potential, IT skills, consumer economy, and other strengths. He believes that Pakistan has the potential to do so but is preoccupied with domestic matters. Dr. Cheema stressed the importance of understanding India’s strategic shift towards the United States and highlighted the substantial investments India is making in its diplomatic efforts. India’s use of cultural diplomacy is a key element in its global political strategy.

Leave a Comment

NHS MEDIA

Your Trusted Source for South Asia News & Analysis. Unbiased reporting, in-depth insights, and engaging multimedia.

 

Explore the region with us!

© 2023 NHS MEDIA – All Right Reserved.