G20: Member of PM's Economic Advisory Council Sanyal said hosting G-20 changed India's image

The credit goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for making India's economic progress and cultural heritage proud on the global stage through the G-20. India has changed the format of these meetings by hosting G-20. Earlier closed-room meetings were considered, but PM's vision changed this thinking and for the first time public participation was ensured. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council involved in preparing the action plan for the G-20 Heads of State meeting to be held in Delhi on September 9 and 10. 

India's economic progress and cultural heritage have been conveyed to the world through the G-20 on a global platform. Along with the meeting, we made the world aware of India's heritage, art and culture. Before the meeting of the G-20 heads of state, in the last one year, 60 big and small cities were organized where such events and foreign representatives could never reach till date. The biggest benefit from this was that places about which even Indians were not aware, they would also get a chance to know about tourism and the local importance of that place. Apart from the Taj Mahal, these representatives will go to their countries and present India's emerging economic and strategic power on the global stage.

The tourism sector remained closed for two to three years due to the Covid pandemic, whereas tourism and tourists are the strongest link in the economy of any country. After these meetings, India's tourism sector will definitely benefit a lot. For example, very few people visit small provinces like Agartala, Kohima, Lakshadweep. International events were never held there. Not only foreigners but Indians also go here less. Big leaders were sent there through G-20. The Chief Minister and senior officials there gained experience by hosting such events.

People in Srinagar saw that everything was normal there. Local people as well as guests from abroad saw programs being organized here continuously. As long as we hesitate, other people will also hesitate. Therefore it is important that such events take place. Not only this, now common Kashmiri people are coming to know that our employment is increasing due to this.

The meeting of the G-20 heads of state will be held in the level two summit hall of 'Bharat Mandapam'. The grand door of the conference room has an artwork of the peacock feather of the national bird. The room is square, in the middle of which there is a 40-seat round table with green colored chairs. On this, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, UK PM Rishi Sunak, Chinese President Xi Jinping and heads of state of all G20 member countries will sit. Behind him, apart from the special members, the officials accompanying the respective heads of state will sit in the second round of chairs. There is a large oval chandelier above the round table of the room.

We already have this image that India is a poor country. The image of the Taj Mahal was our identity in the world, but after hosting the G-20, people came here and saw what a strong infrastructure we have. There are new airports with modern facilities. Modern metro system, technology. Meanwhile, we also fulfilled the dream of touching the moon. The world became witness to this and our image changed in an instant.

There will be discussion on multilateral organization reform. (Under this, there are groups of different countries around the world, such as G7, G-20, discussion is possible regarding the United Nations Council). This discussion was pending for many years. The G-20 meeting to be held in Delhi is an important opportunity to discuss this.

A global draft will be prepared to deal with the challenges of digital currency (cryptocurrency) around the world. India wants that instead of the rules of different countries, a common global rule should be made. During the G-20 meeting, all the heads of state will discuss the development of digital infrastructure and the maximum use of India's UPI in the world and its acceptance among the people. Various Sherpa Group and Working Group meetings held under G-20 discussed topics like urban development, education, culture, tourism, science and health. MoUs will be signed after discussing the proposals near these meetings.