India’s G20 Presidency Has Facilitated Multiple Foreign Trade Relationships Positively
Another feather has been added in India's historic records as the nation successfully conducted G20 meet successfully. Let's examine good and bad about the trade statistics of India.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS
India's rise on the global economic stage has been nothing short of remarkable. In past few years, India has emerged as one of the world's leading and booming economies. A significant milestone in this journey was India's presidency of the G20 in 2023. The G20, or Group of Twenty, is a forum of the world's largest and most influential economies, representing over 80% of global GDP. India's leadership of this forum provided a unique opportunity to strengthen its trade ties with the world and play a more pivotal role in shaping global economic policies. In this blog post, we will explore how India's G20 presidency has helped the nation deepen its trade ties, contributing to its economic growth and global influence.
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THE G20 AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE
The G20 was established in 1999 in response to the financial crises of the late 1990s, with the aim of promoting international financial stability and sustainable economic growth. Since then, it has evolved into a platform for discussing a wide range of global economic issues, including trade, finance, and development. With India assuming the G20 presidency, it joined the league of countries like the United States, China, and Germany, which have previously chaired this forum.
The G20's significance lies in its ability to bring together the world's leading economies to collaborate on addressing pressing global challenges. During India's presidency, it had the opportunity to set the agenda and drive discussions on issues of critical importance, including trade policies, investment, and sustainable development.
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INDIA'S TRADE PRIORITIES
Under India's leadership, the G20 focused on several key trade priorities that aligned with its domestic economic agenda. These priorities included:
TRADE FACILITATION: India emphasized the need to simplify customs procedures and reduce trade barriers to facilitate the flow of goods and services across borders. This initiative aimed to boost global trade and create favorable conditions for Indian exporters.
INVESTMENT PROMOTION: India sought to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by promoting its 'Make in India' campaign. By encouraging investment in sectors such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and technology, India aimed to boost its economic growth and employment opportunities.
SUSTAINABLE TRADE: The G20 under India's presidency placed a strong emphasis on sustainable trade practices. India highlighted the importance of environmental sustainability and responsible business conduct in international trade agreements.
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WHERE DO INDIA STANDS AMONGST ALL THE NATIONS OF G20?
India being a part of this biggest global group has a decent position amongst all other member nations.
- Out of 20 countries, India stands at 9th position in terms of total trade of goods and services in the year 2022 (USD 1662 billion).
- Exports of Indian textiles in the year 2022 to other 19 nations were 64% whereas, imports were close to 52.4%.
- The United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom has the major stake of India’s exports in the year 2022.
- Major exports made by India to other G20 members were electronics and machines (USD 41 billion), crude oil and petrol goods (USD 30 billion), precious diamonds and stones (USD 26 billion), and organic chemicals (USD 20.5 billion).
- Electronics, machines, plastic raw products, and iron were the crucial imports to India.
- Out of all G20 member nations, the United States is the biggest investor in India investing close to USD 61.3 billion. Japan is the next in the list with total investments amounting to USD 40 billion.
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PROMINENT STATEMENTS STATED BY BIG INDUSTRY LEADERS
Amongst all the statements made by different legal bodies and officials, the most prominent and important statements were as follows:
- As per Shardul S Shroff, who is the Executive Chairman of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. stated that India should grab opportunities to grow as a global leader and trend setter.
- Gaurav Dani, founder of INDUSLAW said that India is equipped with the biggest and largest growing middle-income population that offers biggest consumer base for goods and services.
- Multiple MNCs are looking for investment destinations which can be fulfilled due to this G20 presidency, stated by Rumki Majumdar, economist at Deloitte India.
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STRENGTHENING BILATERAL TRADE RELATIONS
One of the most significant outcomes of India's G20 presidency was the opportunity to strengthen its bilateral trade relations with key member countries. During the presidency, India engaged in high-level trade discussions and negotiations that yielded several bilateral agreements and partnerships.
INDIA-CHINA RELATIONS: As two of the world's most populous nations and emerging economic powerhouses, India and China used the G20 platform to address trade imbalances and explore avenues for greater economic cooperation. Bilateral trade agreements between the two nations were discussed and advanced during this period.
INDIA-USA TRADE DIALOGUE: India's close relationship with the United States was also leveraged during its G20 presidency. Trade dialogues between the two countries resulted in increased collaboration in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and renewable energy.
EXPANDING MARKET ACCESS: India worked to expand its market access by fostering trade relationships with countries beyond its traditional partners. This included exploring trade opportunities with European Union nations, African countries, and nations in Southeast Asia.
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ADDRESSING TRADE CHALLENGES
While India's G20 presidency focused on expanding trade opportunities, it also addressed trade challenges and barriers that hindered global economic growth. These challenges included:
TRADE PROTECTIONISM: India actively advocated against trade protectionism and unilateral tariff measures that disrupted global supply chains. It called for a rules-based international trading system that promotes fair and open trade.
DIGITAL TRADE: The G20 discussions under India's presidency recognized the increasing importance of digital trade and e-commerce. India encouraged the development of frameworks that facilitate cross-border digital trade while safeguarding data privacy and security.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): India's leadership in the G20 emphasized the alignment of trade policies with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This approach aimed to ensure that trade contributes to broader societal and environmental objectives.
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FINAL VERDICT AND CONCLUSION
Baton of G20 presidency for the next year is handed over by our Honorable Prime minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi to Brazil. India's presidency of the G20 in 2023 was a pivotal moment in its economic journey. It provided a platform to deepen trade ties with key global partners, address trade challenges, and shape international economic policies.
As India continues to play an active role in global economic forums, it has the potential to further enhance its economic growth, attract investment, and contribute to the sustainable development of the world economy. With its strategic focus on trade and economic diplomacy, India is well-positioned to make a lasting impact on the international stage. As the world watches, India's trade and economic influence are poised to grow stronger in the years ahead.
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