A country becomes a superpower when it has the ability to project power and influence outside its region. This is the reason why we have superpowers like America, Europe. With nearly 1.4 billion people and a growing economy, we are bound to become the next superpower.
The US official said that in the last 20 years, India-US bilateral relations have grown faster and deeper than with any other bilateral relationship.
In response to a question about India at the ‘Aspen Security Forum’ meeting held here, White House Asia Affairs Coordinator Campbell said that he believes that bilateral relations with India are the most important for America in the 21st century. The top White House official said, “It is true that in the last 20 years, I have not seen such a bilateral relationship between the US and India, which is becoming deeper and stronger so rapidly.”
Campbell said this is a relationship in which there should be some ambition. We should look at areas where we can work together. Be it space, education, climate or technology. We should move forward in this direction. He said that if you look at the last 20 years and look at the barriers that were crossed and look at the depth of the relationship between our two sides, it is remarkable. He stressed that India-US relations have not been built only because of China’s concern. Campbell said that these are based on important synergies between our societies.
Campbell acknowledged that the Indians were ambivalent when President Joe Biden and his administration decided to elevate the Quad to leader level. The US is working very constructively with its Indian partners on key initiatives in COVID-19 vaccine delivery, in the maritime domain awareness and education, a White House official said.
As India assumed the presidency of the G20 group of countries for 2022 to 2023, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on 1 December that the country would be “the voice of the global south, which is otherwise under-represented in such forums”.
To speak up for the developing world, which has been deeply affected by the Ukraine conflict, India will host a virtual ‘Voice of the Global South’ summit next week. More than 120 countries are being invited for the summit, which will be held on January 12-13 under the theme “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said the “new and unique” initiative was inspired by PM Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ and India’s philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.
He said the summit envisages bringing together the countries of the Global South to share their vision and priorities on a common platform. The government did not confirm whether Pakistan, Ukraine and China were on the guest list.
In a statement, the government said that India will work to ensure that the valuable inputs received from the participating countries at the summit receive due recognition globally and that India’s G20 chairmanship provides a special and strong opportunity for those countries who are not part of it. G20 process to share your views and expectations from the grouping. Addressing the concerns of the Global South is an important part of India’s agenda for the G20.
This is in line with the PM’s statement that India’s G20 Presidency will be shaped in consultation with not only our G20 partners, but also our fellow-travellers in the Global South, whose voices are often unheard.
