N Chandrasekaran, the Chair of B20 India and Executive Chairman of Tata Sons, highlighted the theme of India’s B20 Presidency during the G20 Summit. The theme, inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, is ‘Vasaudeva Katumbakam’ (One Earth, One Family, One Future). In his address, Chandrasekaran stated that India’s B20 Presidency engaged with over 1,500 global business executives and experts from 55 countries through more than 100 events in India and abroad.
The Business20 (B20) serves as the official dialogue forum between the G20 and the global business community. This year’s B20 Summit, held in the national capital, adopted the theme ‘R.A.I.S.E.: Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable, Equitable Businesses’. The three-day summit witnessed the participation of more than 1,500 delegates from 55 countries.
During the closing session of the B20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a keynote address. He emphasized that India stands as a solution to global challenges and recalled India’s role as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’ by supplying vaccines to over 150 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. PM Modi underscored India’s importance in building an efficient and trusted global supply chain.
“India holds an important place in building an efficient and trusted global supply chain. When the world needed medicines, during the Covid pandemic, India, as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’, provided life-saving drugs to more than 150 countries. When the world needed a Covid drug, India enhanced production of its own vaccines to save the precious lives of millions across the globe,” PM Modi stated.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also addressed the summit during a session titled ‘Role of Global South in Emerging World 2.0’. Jaishankar highlighted the need for a diversified and inclusive form of globalization, characterized by multiple production centers where businesses can make a meaningful impact. He emphasized that the volatility of recent years has underscored the importance of strategic autonomy and investment in trade and technology decisions.
“The volatility of the last few years has brought home to us the importance of strategic autonomy. We may talk about seeking a more just, equitable and participative global order but at the end of the day that will only happen when we see commensurate investment in trade and technology decisions,” Jaishankar emphasized.
As India hands over the B20 presidency to Brazil, the focus on unity, responsible businesses, and global responsibility continues at the G20 Summit, with the theme of Vasaudeva Katumbakam, providing a platform for discussions on shaping the future of global economic and business landscapes.
