INDIA – THE VOICE OF GLOBAL SOUTH & G 20

🌍 G20 2025 – Key Highlights & India’s Role | UPSC Insights

📌 Topic: GS-II (International Relations), GS-III (Economy & Multilateralism), Prelims (Intl Bodies)
📅 When: 22–23 November 2025
📍 Where: Johannesburg, South Africa 🇿🇦

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

Q . Consider the following statements about G-20:

1. The G-20 group was originally established as platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2

d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: Option c) Both 1 and 2

Learn more about G20 in the given explanation below.

Explanation:

• The G20 group of 19 countries and the EU was established in 1999 as a platform for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues. Together, the G20 countries account for almost two-thirds of the global population, 75% of global trade, and 85% of the world’s GDP. So, statement 1 is correct.
• India is pitching its digital infrastructure at G20 as an open-access platform that can aid in improving development outcomes. So, statement 2 is correct.

In 2024 African Union official 21 member of G 20

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📣 What Is the G20?

• G20: A premier international forum of 19 countries + EU, representing ~85% of global GDP & trade, and ~66% of the world population .
• No permanent secretariat; chaired annually by the Presidency, supported by the Troika system .

HISTORY OF G-20

G-20
 Founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis
 Initially started off as a meeting of finance ministers and central bank
governors.
 As a response to the financial crisis of 2008, the G-20 was upgraded to head of
state level in an inaugural summit in Washington, D.C.
 It is also known as the “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy”
and represents 80% of the global GDP.
 G-20 operates without a permanent secretariat or staff
 Groups chair rotates annually among member countries
 India will host first summit of G-20 in 2022.
 Chiefs of IMF, WB, and other imp people participate in G 20 Summit

AFRICA ADD G 20 IN NEW DELHI SUMMIT

Economic affairs – the strongest economies

The G20 countries produce around 80 percent of global economic output in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) adjusted for purchasing power parity. In 2015, China’s GDP was around 19.7 billion international dollars when adjusted for purchasing power parity. This makes China the largest economy in the world, followed by the United States, India and Japan. Germany was in fifth place, at 3.9 billion international dollars.

Global trade – the most successful exporting countries

G20 countries account for three‑quarters of global trade. China, the United States, Germany and Japan are the four largest exporting countries in the world. Of the 20 countries with the largest volume of exports worldwide, 15 are members of the G20.

People – the countries with the largest populations

Around two‑thirds of the global population live in the G20 member countries. China, the country with the largest population in the world, has approximately 1.38 billion inhabitants, closely followed by India, which has a population of 1.3 billon. The United States, Indonesia and Brazil are next in the list. Germany is in seventeenth place.

Surface area – the largest countries

Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of surface area. Its some 144 million inhabitants live in an area of around 17 million square kilometres. Indonesia is the world’s largest island country. It is spread across 17,508 islands. Brazil is both the largest and the most populous country in South America, with a population of over 200 million.

Partners – key international institutions

At the invitation of each Presidency, international organisations also regularly attend the G20 meetings. These organisations include the International Labour Organization (ILO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Financial Stability Board (FSB), the World Bank (WB), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the United Nations (UN). The German G20 Presidency has also invited the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2017.

Participation – the most important guests

Spain attends the G20 Summits as a permanent guest. The Presidency can also invite representatives of regional organisations and guests to the G20 Summit. The German Presidency has invited Norway, the Netherlands and Singapore as partner countries to the G20 process, as well as the African Union (AU), represented by Guinea, the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), represented by Vietnam, and the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD), represented by Senegal.

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🇮🇳 India’s G20 Engagement (2022–2025)

• 2023: India hosted the 18th G20 Summit (New Delhi, 9–10 Sept), under the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth · One Family · One Future” .
• Achievements included:
  • Launch of Global Biofuel Alliance
  • Promotion of Digital Public Infrastructure (UPI, Aadhaar)
  • African Union elevated to G20 member .
• India played a crucial role in achieving consensus on the Russia–Ukraine issue and reinforcing Global South representation .
• Continued its influence through the Troika with Indonesia and Brazil into 2025.

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🛠️ Priorities from India’s Presidency

India’s G20 agenda was centred on six key pillars:

1. Green Development, Climate Finance & LiFE
2. Accelerated, Inclusive & Resilient Growth
3. Accelerating SDGs
4. Tech Transformation & Digital Public Infrastructure
5. Multilateral Institutional Reform
6. Women-led Development

India emphasized Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE), digital inclusion, climate justice, debt relief, and broadening multilateral representation .

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🌐 What to Expect at G20 Johannesburg (Nov 2025)

South Africa’s presidency theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability” . Expect focus on:

• Inclusive economic growth & reducing inequalities
• Food security and industrialisation
• AI innovation and digital inclusion for sustainable development
• Advancement of African priorities, particularly AfCFTA, employment, youth empowerment .

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🧠 UPSC Takeaways

🔎 Prelims Focus

• Date & Venue: 22–23 November 2025, Johannesburg.
• Theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability”
• Troika: Indonesia–India–Brazil
• Format: Working tracks—Finance and Sherpa

🔎 Mains Answer Framework

Q: Examine India’s contributions to G20 priorities during its presidency and their continued relevance at the 2025 Johannesburg summit.

• Intro: India’s 2023 presidency, six-priority framework
• Body: Key initiatives—LiFE, DPI, Global South lobbying, AU inclusion, digital public goods
• Linkage: How these frameworks influence 2025 themes
• Conclusion: India’s strategic continuity as a bridge-builder shaping G20 future trajectory

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FOR SLEF STUDYhttps://upscuniverse360.com/

India–G 20 relations, including context from PM Modi’s 2025 visit. This is ideal for your study @upscuniverse360.com and used for GS-II, Prelims, or Essay preparation.

✅ Summary

• India successfully transitioned G20 from a forum to a global governance catalyst, adding AU membership, promoting DPI, climate justice, digital inclusion & multilateralism.
• South Africa’s 2025 presidency will build on these, emphasising African and Global South interests, sustainability, and equitable growth.
• India remains a key influencer, ensuring its G20 agenda continues forward momentum.

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