As the global landscape undergoes tectonic shifts in power dynamics and policy priorities, the G20 Summit emerges as a crucible for shaping the contours of global governance. India, a major player with a burgeoning economy, assumed the G20 Presidency, a role fraught with both challenges and opportunities. In this setting, a parallel narrative has emerged that is both potent and controversial: human rights violations within India’s borders.

India’s G20 Presidency enables it to assert itself as a responsible power. However, there’s a pressing need to reconcile this international image with the domestic challenges it faces, primarily human rights violations.

The G20 Presidency offers India an unprecedented platform to showcase its leadership in addressing challenges such as global economic growth, trade, and finance. Yet, it is precisely India’s standing on the global stage that magnifies the scrutiny of its internal affairs, including issues related to human rights. Striking a balance between international expectations and domestic imperatives is no easy feat. India’s G20 Presidency enables it to assert itself as a responsible power. However, there’s a pressing need to reconcile this international image with the domestic challenges it faces, primarily human rights violations. This article aims to delve into the intricate tapestry of challenges and opportunities that India faces as it chairs the G20 Summit, and how its domestic issues, especially human rights violations, could shape its international standing and policy approaches.

The G20 Summit

The Group of Twenty (G20) is an intergovernmental forum comprising 19 countries and the European Union. It was elevated to a summit level in 2008 in response to the global financial crisis. Originally, the G20 was a meeting of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors started in 1999, but the severity of the 2008 crisis made it necessary to involve the heads of state. The G20 plays a significant role as the premier forum for international economic cooperation. It evolved from focusing solely on financial and economic issues to include a broader array of global matters, such as trade, climate change, and development. Its annual summit serves as a platform for leaders to discuss not just economic strategies but also other pressing global challenges. India has been an active member of the G20 and hosted a meeting of G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors as early as 2002. India aims to utilize the presidency of the G20 as opportunity to exercise greater influence on the global policy agenda across economic, social, and environmental sectors.

Challenges for the G20 Summit

Economic volatility, such as fluctuations in energy prices, can have a ripple effect on global markets. Addressing economic volatility involves align fiscal measures to support economic growth, strengthen regulatory framework to avert crises, promote free trade and oppose protectionism.

Geopolitical issues, from increased refugee flows to conflicts, complicate the global economic outlook. Strategies could involve strengthen international laws and norms, establish frameworks for assistance to countries in crisis, enhance information sharing and cooperation against terrorism.

The G20 must work on de-risking sustainable low-carbon infrastructure. Action points includes the mobilize public and private sector funding for sustainable projects, implement global standards, and strengthen resilience in vulnerable regions.

The G20 has adopted 75 health commitments to address global health challenges. Measures to enhance global health security includes stockpiling essential medical supplies and promoting vaccination, invest in healthcare systems in less developed countries, and facilitate sharing of health data for research and disease control.

There is a need for establishing an ecosystem at the global, national, and local levels for technology governance. Key areas are standardizing cybersecurity measures across G20 nations, create uniform data protection regulations, set ethical guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence. The G20 faces multifaceted challenges requiring coordinated efforts in economic policy, geopolitical stability, climate action, health governance, and technological advancements. Accurate data-driven decision-making and committed international collaboration are essential for progress.

Opportunities for the G20 Summit

The G20 has previously committed to driving forward international economic recovery. G20 leaders have the opportunity to focus on promoting strategies, action plans, and initiatives to enhance global growth and development, particularly by addressing the volatility in energy prices and markets.

Ambitious climate and environmental actions are already part of the G20’s discussions. The opportunity lies in formulating and implementing measures that de-risk sustainable, low-carbon infrastructure on global, national, and local levels.

Relative frequency of keywords in G20 Summit documents

(Source: Observer Research Foundation)

The G20 has been committed to strengthening multilateral trade and resilience of global supply chains. Leaders could focus on furthering rules-based, non-discriminatory, and transparent multilateral trading systems.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerabilities of global health systems. The G20 has previously adopted health commitments and promoted multilateral actions focused on limiting health crises. The opportunity lies in strengthening these systems to be better prepared for future health crises.

G20 Countries’ Expenditure on Health in 2019 (as a % of GDP)

(Source: World Bank Database)

Leaders have recognized the importance of reforming the World Trade Organization to improve the multilateral trading system. The G20 has the opportunity to support these reforms actively, which could enhance global economic stability and growth. The G20 Summit provides a unique platform for collaborative actions to address global challenges. Given the right focus and commitment, there’s a wealth of opportunities for positive change across various sectors.

Human Rights Violations in India

India has been the subject of scrutiny due to significant human rights abuses. Violations span across social, political, and religious boundaries, and involve both state and non-state actors. While India has a strong constitutional framework for the protection of human rights, the implementation of these rights has been inconsistent.

Types of violations includes arrests without due process and legal procedures are common, including religious and caste-based violence. Dalits and Adivasis are particularly targeted. Laws and policies have been adopted that are prejudicial against religious minorities. Instances of torture by the police and other state actors exist, includes crimes against women such as domestic violence and rape. Furthermore, the caste system, which is deeply rooted in Indian society, often leads to discrimination and violence.

India has a complex legal landscape with both progressive and regressive laws related to human rights. While the law prohibits arbitrary arrests and detention, challenges remain in its application. Even with favorable legislation, there are considerable gaps in the execution phase, a phenomenon widely observed globally. Often, the police are involved in human rights abuses, sometimes as perpetrators. The law enforcement agencies are not fully independent and can be susceptible to political influence. Women face discrimination at various stages of the criminal justice system. Social stigma often results in the denial of human rights violations, making them invisible and unaddressed. Discrimination based on caste and gender is still widespread and socially accepted in many regions, making it harder to address these violations. Rights activists and groups are sometimes targeted by the government through tax raids, allegations, and politically motivated prosecutions. There’s often limited accountability or effective checks on power, making it difficult to address rights violations systemically.

Women face discrimination at various stages of the criminal justice system. Social stigma often results in the denial of human rights violations, making them invisible and unaddressed. Discrimination based on caste and gender is still widespread and socially accepted in many regions of India.

Opportunities for Improvement incudes participating in international organizations can set the stage for global human rights discourse. This allows nations to learn from one another and apply best practices. Collaboration on specific human rights issues can lead to more significant impact, like combating human trafficking or child labor. Laws should be updated regularly to adapt to changing human rights norms. Often, the issue is not just enacting laws but ensuring their effective application.

Use various platforms to educate the public, considering that awareness often precedes change. Grassroots initiatives can help inform the less accessible, marginalized communities about their rights. Prioritize people over profit, focusing on equitable growth. Involve the community in development projects to ensure that they meet the real needs of the people. Opportunities for improvement in the human rights landscape are numerous, and collaboration between different sectors is essential for meaningful progress.

Broader Implications on Global Stage

The G20 Summit plays a crucial role in coordinating international economic policy, which has ramifications for global human rights. The IMF provides comprehensive economic analyses and assessments to guide G20 decisions. G20 economies have maintained trade policy restraint, preventing potentially destructive outcomes, as noted in WTO reports. The digital economy’s growing role needs new data and indicators for informed policymaking.

Human rights are intrinsically tied to global governance. Access to education is considered a human right and a tool for inclusive and sustainable recovery, according to the G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration. Human rights law necessitates that states address the global economic crisis and its impact on the poor.

Social network analysis techniques have been used to analyze the G20 summit and its global impact, offering quantifiable metrics for evaluating its effectiveness. Global risk reports, such as the WEF Global Risks Report, provide data on potential global events that could negatively impact the world, serving as a foundational document for G20 discussions.

Finally, the policy recommendations for the G20 Summit aim to streamline global governance and trade relations while putting an emphasis on accelerating the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. For human rights, immediate measures for food and energy security are essential, along with ensuring compliance with human rights standards in business practices. Long-term plans focus on institutionalizing internal monitoring systems and comprehensive national policies for labor rights and sustainable development. The policies, if effectively implemented, have the potential to set the G20 on a path towards more equitable trade practices, enhanced global governance, and human rights protections. A systematic approach to monitoring and implementation is crucial for the success of these policies. Given the rapidly changing global landscape, it will also be essential for the G20 to remain adaptable and willing to revise policies in line with emerging challenges and opportunities. By aligning short-term actions with long-term goals, the G20 can act as a powerful catalyst for positive change in both global economics and human rights arenas. Continuous assessment and multi-stakeholder involvement will be critical in adapting these policy recommendations to the fluid nature of global challenges.