As the nation gears up for elections, the spotlight shifts towards domestic issues
A poll-bound government is likely to highlight the domestic socio-political economy rather than focus on global geopolitics. However, in a world where food on the plate for citizens is dictated by ravaging wars and inimical neighbours, geo politics finds itself through to every conversation, even if it is addressed to a political constituency. In the past week, the entire Indian government has laid out the influence of external factors on the domestic economy and therefore their voting choices.
The successful conclusion of the G20 summit in New Delhi, last September, topped with a joint communique, is the geo-political showpiece that will be used in election rallies by the ruling party members. The build-up to the G20 summit was a careful execution of several events, meetings, conferences and exhibitions criss crossing the entire country. One of the first meetings leading to the G20 summit was in Andamans, where the foreign heads of G20 countries were treated to the scenic beaches in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Several diplomats, this author, spoke to later, had never been to Andamans, neither hoped to set up a vacation in future, had it not been for the diplomatic event.
Going beyond setting up a Bharat culture and diversity tourism pitch, the G20 events were an early roadshow for the Modi government, beginning in December 2022, almost a year and a half ahead of the general elections. Elaborate street decorations, cosmetic and essential lift of meeting venue infrastructure, putting a celebratory appeal to an otherwise boring diplomatic affair, and getting many diverse stakeholders on board, made the Indian G20 presidency closer to the citizens. Almost every taxi driver, hotel owner, local shop owner and person out on a stroll in the venue city would be discussing the G20 summit, with a palpable excitement, similar to a cricket match.
However, the Prime Minister knew Indians wanted more, they were used to a grand extravagant wedding-type spectacle, and he ensured all of it with his state visit to France, followed by the US and finally the grand finale of the G20 summit in New Delhi. The common message away from the twists and language of diplomatic documents, meant for a common citizen was India has arrived at the global stage and the world is eagerly waiting for India’s global leadership. Prime Minister, Modi summed it up during his speech on the vote of accounts earlier this week in Lok Sabha, where he counted the G20 summit as one of the key highlights of the government under his leadership for a decade. “He said that the world’s views and opinions towards India can be summed up by the success of the G20 Summit. Prime Minister Modi underlined that the whole world is watching the speed of the work of the government as well as its big goals and courage.”
Meanwhile, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her sixth consecutive budget (the current one being interim) last week and even though she kept the document and her speech to be a bland vote on accounts (as it should be) she did squeeze paragraphs on the importance of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITS) for getting fresh investment in the economy. Her speech highlighted “Geopolitically, global affairs are becoming more complex and challenging with wars and conflicts. Globalization is being redefined with reshoring and friend-shoring, disruption and fragmentation of supply chains, and competition for critical minerals and technologies. India assumed the G20 Presidency during very difficult times for the world. The country showed the way forward and built consensus on solutions for those global problems.“ Even though India is pushing for a multilateral world order, the global agenda has reached the electorate's doorstep in an election year.
(The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal)
