“I am not interested in processes or procedures. I want results.” — PM Narendra Modi during G20 negotiations, September 9, 2023
India’s G20 Presidency was a defining moment in global diplomacy, culminating in the successful hosting of the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023. Amitabh Kant, India’s G20 Sherpa, unveils the inside story in his book, How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency (Rupa Publications).
This book details the challenges, negotiations, and strategic decisions that helped India steer one of the most complex global summits to success. From navigating the Russia-Ukraine conflict to managing tensions between China and the US, India’s diplomatic prowess shone through at every turn.
🌍 India’s G20 Presidency: A Defining Moment
As the host of the G20 Summit, India played a crucial role in driving global discussions on economic policies, climate action, and sustainable development. Amitabh Kant’s book highlights how India navigated geopolitical tensions to ensure that the summit remained focused on its core agenda.
The G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. Hosting this summit positioned India at the center of global governance, allowing it to shape conversations on issues critical to developing nations.
India’s presidency was marked by inclusivity—it organized over 200 meetings across 60 cities, ensuring diverse representation and engagement across the entire nation.
Think of the G20 as a board meeting of the world’s most powerful economies. India was not just hosting the meeting—it was the chairperson responsible for getting everyone to agree on a shared action plan despite deep political divisions. That’s what made this achievement extraordinary.
📌 The Challenges of Consensus-Building
One of the biggest hurdles of India’s G20 Presidency was securing a consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration (NDLD). The 37-page document required over 300 hours of negotiations and 250 bilateral meetings to finalize.
Unlike typical international summits where declarations are often watered down or issued with caveats, India aimed for—and achieved—a unanimous declaration. This was particularly challenging given the geopolitical backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, US-China tensions, and divergent economic priorities among member nations.
The complexity wasn’t just in the number of countries involved—it was in managing competing national interests while keeping global welfare at the forefront.
Key Numbers: 300+ hours of negotiations, 250+ bilateral meetings, 37-page declaration—all achieved consensus on Day 1 of summit (unlike Bali 2022 where it took until the last hours).
✨ The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration
The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration was the culmination of extensive negotiations, reflecting India’s ability to manage complex, often conflicting, global interests. It marked a historic agreement on global economic and geopolitical issues.
Key focus areas of the declaration included:
- Sustainable Development: Commitment to achieving SDGs with special focus on developing nations
- Climate Action: Accelerating green energy transition and climate finance
- Digital Transformation: Ensuring inclusive digital public infrastructure
- Inclusive Economic Growth: Addressing inequality and promoting equitable development
Overcoming Geopolitical Roadblocks
India faced three major diplomatic challenges while finalizing the declaration:
1. Russia’s Demand on Sanctions: Russia pushed for the inclusion of the term “sanction” in the declaration, which was met with resistance from other G20 members. India tactfully handled this by convincing Russia to withdraw its demand through strategic diplomatic channels.
2. China’s Bilateral Concern Over US Visas: China opposed specific language regarding the US hosting the 2026 G20 Summit due to visa issues. A subtle revision from “guarantee” to “ensure” resolved this concern—showcasing how precise language diplomacy works.
3. The Ukraine Question: Managing references to the Russia-Ukraine conflict without alienating either side required careful wording that acknowledged concerns without taking partisan positions.
👤 PM Modi’s Leadership in Action
Amitabh Kant credits PM Narendra Modi’s decisive leadership as a crucial factor in the summit’s success. Modi’s approach was characterized by hands-on involvement and a results-oriented mindset.
Driving Results Over Bureaucracy
During a key moment on September 9, 2023, Modi issued a directive that would become central to India’s negotiating strategy: “I am not interested in processes or procedures. I want results.”
This instruction encouraged Indian diplomats to:
- Think creatively rather than follow rigid protocol
- Prioritize actionable solutions over formalities
- Take calculated risks in negotiations
- Focus on the end goal rather than intermediate checkpoints
Modi’s direct involvement—from monitoring negotiations in real-time to personally intervening in critical moments—ensured that deadlocks were resolved swiftly.
Modi’s “results over process” approach represents a shift in Indian diplomacy—from historically cautious consensus-building to assertive leadership. Does this signal India’s growing confidence on the global stage, or was it a necessity given the geopolitical complexity of 2023?
⚖️ Navigating Geopolitical Challenges
India’s ability to navigate complex geopolitical issues was crucial to its success at the summit. The most delicate challenge was managing the Russia-Ukraine conflict while maintaining strategic relationships with all parties.
The Ukraine Dilemma and Strategic Neutrality
India faced intense pressure from multiple directions regarding Ukraine:
G7 Nations’ Pressure: The G7 nations pushed for the inclusion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the summit, which would have amplified the Russia-Ukraine conflict discussion and potentially derailed other agenda items.
India’s Strategic Response: India strategically maintained neutrality and restricted participation to G20 leaders only—a principled stand that preserved the summit’s focus.
Leverage Diplomacy: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar advised using Zelenskyy’s potential invitation as leverage to negotiate with Russia, ultimately securing their cooperation on the declaration. This was a masterclass in turning pressure into an asset.
Don’t confuse: Amitabh Kant was India’s G20 Sherpa (chief negotiator), not the External Affairs Minister. S. Jaishankar is the EAM. While both played crucial roles, their positions and responsibilities were distinct.
| Challenge | Issue | India’s Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Russia’s Demand | Wanted “sanction” term included in declaration | Diplomatic persuasion to withdraw demand |
| China’s Concern | Opposed language on US hosting 2026 summit | Changed “guarantee” to “ensure” in text |
| Ukraine Participation | G7 pressure to invite Zelenskyy | Maintained G20-only policy, used as leverage |
| Consensus Timeline | Previous summits took until final hours | Achieved on Day 1 through intensive prep |
🏆 Finalizing the Declaration: A Diplomatic Win
India achieved consensus on the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration on the first day of the summit—a stark contrast to the 2022 Bali Summit, where negotiations dragged into the final hours.
This early consensus was achieved through:
- Extensive Pre-Summit Preparation: The 300+ hours of negotiations happened before the summit, not during it
- Strategic Bilateral Engagement: 250+ meetings ensured no surprises on summit day
- Clear Communication: India established red lines and objectives early
- Creative Problem-Solving: Finding language that satisfied all parties without compromising core principles
The declaration addressed key global challenges while maintaining diplomatic balance—a testament to India’s growing sophistication in international negotiations.
👩🏫 Lessons in Leadership and Diplomacy
Amitabh Kant’s book is not just a historical account but a masterclass in diplomacy. The insights are applicable far beyond international relations—they offer lessons in negotiation, crisis management, and strategic thinking.
Key Takeaways from India’s Approach
1. Assertive Leadership: PM Modi’s direct involvement ensured that focus remained on delivering results. His willingness to break from traditional bureaucratic procedures when necessary demonstrated confident leadership.
2. Bold Negotiation Tactics: Using Zelenskyy’s invitation as leverage proved to be a strategic masterstroke—turning external pressure into a negotiating asset rather than a liability.
3. Commitment to Multilateralism: Despite challenges, India upheld the spirit of global cooperation. The success demonstrated that multilateralism still works when led by nations committed to inclusive dialogue.
4. Preparation Over Improvisation: The 300+ hours of pre-summit negotiations meant that when leaders arrived, groundwork was already laid. Success was engineered, not improvised.
5. Strategic Neutrality with Principle: India’s stance on Ukraine showed that neutrality doesn’t mean silence—it means maintaining relationships while staying true to core principles.
The G20 success offers insights into “multi-alignment” foreign policy—India maintained strategic autonomy while engaging all major powers. How does this compare to traditional non-alignment? Is it a viable model for other emerging powers?
🌍 Why India’s G20 Presidency Matters for the Future
India’s successful G20 Presidency has implications that extend far beyond 2023. It marks a turning point in how India is perceived globally and how it perceives its own role in international affairs.
India’s Role as a Global Leader
By successfully mediating between conflicting global powers, India demonstrated its ability to lead on the world stage. This wasn’t leadership through military might or economic dominance—it was leadership through diplomatic skill, moral authority, and inclusive vision.
India positioned itself as a voice for the Global South while maintaining relationships with developed nations. This bridging role is increasingly valuable in a polarized world.
Strengthening Multilateralism and Cooperation
The success of India’s presidency reinforces its credibility in future diplomatic engagements. It sets a precedent for India’s expanded role in:
- United Nations Reform: Strengthens India’s case for permanent UNSC membership
- BRICS Leadership: Enhances credibility within emerging economy forums
- QUAD Initiatives: Demonstrates ability to manage complex multi-nation partnerships
- Climate Negotiations: Establishes India as a responsible yet assertive voice
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Amitabh Kant served as India’s G20 Sherpa, leading negotiations for the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration during India’s 2023 G20 Presidency.
Over 300 hours of negotiations and 250 bilateral meetings were conducted to finalize the 37-page New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
PM Modi said “I am not interested in processes or procedures. I want results” on September 9, 2023, pushing for actionable solutions.
India maintained strategic neutrality and used Zelenskyy’s potential invitation as leverage to secure Russia’s cooperation on the declaration.
India achieved consensus on Day 1 of the summit, unlike the 2022 Bali Summit where negotiations lasted until the final hours.
