New Delhi, Jim O’Neill, former chairman of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, lauds the recent G20 Summit held in New Delhi as a remarkable success. He asserts that the summit’s Joint Declaration has underscored the G20’s unique position as the sole entity capable of offering truly global solutions to the world’s challenges.
Despite the considerable diversity among member states, a consensus was reached on addressing a broad spectrum of issues, according to O’Neill. He commends India and the United States for their pivotal roles in advancing the final communiqué. O’Neill believes that the New Delhi declaration could signify the beginning of a more robust collective effort to tackle global problems.
Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit, which had the effect of undermining the recent BRICS meeting, is discussed. O’Neill contends that the lack of solidarity between India and China presents a significant obstacle to the new BRICS agenda. As things stand, the success of the G20 meeting positions Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the clear winner in the realm of international summits, portraying him as a visionary statesman in comparison to Xi Jinping.
O’Neill also highlights the inclusion of the African Union in the G20 as a diplomatic victory for Modi, solidifying his image as a champion of the Global South.
Moreover, O’Neill challenges the notion that the G7 remains a more influential body compared to the G20, emphasizing that the G20’s communiqué conveyed a clear message regarding the war, particularly in Ukraine. He asserts that NATO holds the primary influence over the Ukraine conflict, making it essential to involve major emerging powers in addressing significant global challenges.
The G20 Summit in New Delhi, in O’Neill’s view, has reshaped perceptions of global leadership and the role of emerging powers in addressing critical global issues.
