The 2019 G20 summit is all set to commence – now just a 'sunset away', as the multitude of world leaders converge this year in 'the Land of the Rising Sun'.
Just as Japan's sobriquet might suggest, this G20 summit can potentially signal the 'dawn' of a new world order. The West has been busy rebooting their stuttering economies, only to witness diminishing returns, meanwhile, the Asian nations however have been steadfast in cruising forward. This summit is thus expected to play host to a number of potential 'dialogues' and 'agreements' that history might label to have been 'crucial' in the making of a 'deglobalised world'.
India especially, will go into this summit knowing that they have a lot to gain. With global economic winds blowing eastward, and with the subcontinent's strategic importance on the rise, India have the opportunity to attract jobs, get more exports sailing, alongside fast-tracking to next-gen military capabilities. Conditions are even more favorable with the Indian political climate being the most stable since the 1950s, giving foreign powers the impetus to negotiate landmark trade and defence deals with the country.
The fuss about India, is there for all to see, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is slated to meet with the first rank of global leaders, more than once this summit. President Trump, Vladmir Putin, Xi Jinping, and host Shinzo Abe will all have 'high profile' dialogues with the Indian leaders who have flown to Japan, notably the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.
Here is a preview to the issues, interests and ambitions that will likely shape India's agenda for each foreign delegation they meet over the two days in Osaka.
US
India's relationship with the United States has seen constant rise in recent times, gone are the days when the two nations were reluctant and suspicious of each other. A year since the US recognized India as 'a major defence partner', the no:1 supplier of arms to India will seek to solidify ties with the country to realize their ambitions of curbing the growing Chinese influence in the world. India thus have a strategically significant role to play in America's plans and thus have a foothold to negotiate upon. India would be certain to raise concerns on the issue of H1B visas, the GSP withdrawal and the brand-new trade war President trump ignited with his bombshell tweet. Two dozen bilateral dialogues with the US alone and a trilateral dialogue including Japan are planned over the course of the summit where diverse issues like education, health, and defense are to be deliberated upon.
Russia
The 20-year Indo-Soviet Treaty of Friendship has long expired but India's cooperation with Russia has never ceased. Moscow is no longer India's mainstay of defense supplies, but continues to be the largest supplier for its spare parts as most of the weaponry in service are Soviet-made. Russian foreign policy in the past decade is however not encouraging for India, the increased China-Pakistan leaning has pushed it to seek better ties with their rivals the Americans, resulting in reservations to open dialogue. Keeping close ties going with Russia will not only be re-affirming India's NAM mindset but will also ensure regional security for India. Osaka 2019 will be an opportunity to re-instate the Indo-Russian bond.
China
India and China have found it hard to look each other in the eye in recent years. While President Xi and PM Modi have met each other several times, the situation at the border is still tense. The RIC meet, or rather the Russia-India-China dialogue would be a vital avenue for India, especially to raise its concerns on issues pertaining to regional security and terrorism. It can also serve as a foundation for better Indo-China ties that would prove advantageous for both nations in the ongoing global trade spat. India would seek to restore normalcy in relations with China soon keeping in mind that it would wouldn't want to be on the wrong end of things should China out shine the US to become the next global superpower. This summit might be India's gateway to do just that.
Japan
Japan sees India as a compatible partner to curb Chinese dominance in Asian Politics.With the hosts being India's best bet for FDI, the summit will be seen as an opportunity to boost its relations with the Island nation to sustain it for time to come. Negotiations to implement the awaited 'Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) would be the significant takeaway the allies would look forward to, this agreement is critical as it would enable both countries to use each other's military bases for logistical support.
Prime Minister Modi is also expected to meet Singapore PM Lee Hsein Loong and Australia PM Scott Morrison. As prominent nations representing South-Asia, Far-East and Oceania, the trio of delegations are expected to share intelligence and strategy to contain the rising presence and shift in strategy of terror groups such as ISIS in the southern Indian Ocean region.
