With the G-20 presidency coming to India in November, a full-time Sherpa is needed to devote a significant amount of time to numerous meetings in various parts of the country.
Digital Desk: Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant will be India's new G20 Sherpa, replacing Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goel, who has been tasked with other pressing duties, according to sources familiar with the matter.
With the G-20 presidency coming to India in November, a full-time Sherpa is needed to devote a significant amount of time to numerous meetings in various parts of the country.
According to a news agency report, Minister Piyush Goyal has been tasked with other pressing duties such as being Leader of the Rajya Sabha, which was assigned to him after his appointment as Sherpa.
This, combined with an intense workload in ministries such as Commerce and Industry (accelerating Free Trade Agreements, FTAs, WTO, and others), Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (CAFPD), and Textiles, would limit his participation in this critical time.
The G20 is a major international organisation comprised of 19 of the world's major economies and the European Union, with its members accounting for more than 80% of global GDP, 75% of global trade, and 60% of the global population.
Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has led India's representation at G20 summits.
Since the G20's inception in 1999, India has been a member. India will assume the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, and will host the G20 Leaders' Summit for the first time in 2023.
Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha about how India is preparing to take over the G20 Presidency this year in December, Minister of State for External Affairs Rajkumar Ranjan Singh elaborated on India's role as the G-20 Presidency and the responsibilities and power that position would bring on Thursday.
"As a founding member of the G20, India has consistently contributed to its discussions on issues of global importance, including those affecting the world's most vulnerable," the Minister of State said.
"India will set the agenda for the year, identify themes and focus areas, hold discussions, and draught outcome documents as the G20 Presidency. The G20 Secretariat will be in charge of ensuring a smooth transition from the previous Presidency, as well as preparations and execution," the Minister of State went on to say.
The G20 process is divided into two tracks: Sherpa and Finance.
Around 100 official meetings are expected to be held under the Sherpa track in the areas of employment, health, digital economy, trade, investment & industry, environment & climate, energy, anti-corruption, agriculture, tourism, culture, and socio-economic development, education, and women's empowerment.
Around 40 meetings are expected to be held under the Finance track, including those on international financial architecture, financial inclusion and sustainable finance, infrastructure financing, climate finance, and tax issues.
"In addition, programmes and events will be organised for the visiting G20 delegates to showcase India's diversity and culture, as well as to promote India as a business and tourism destination," the Minister of State said.
India will join the G20 Troika of Indonesia, Italy, and India in December 2021, representing the current, previous, and incoming G20 Presidency, respectively.
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