G20 Summit showcased India's commitment to fostering global togetherness: Ruchira Kamboj

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on October 10 (local time) said that the G20 Summit held in New Delhi showcased the country’s commitment to “fostering a sense of global togetherness.”

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ruchira Kamboj on October 10 (local time) said that the G20 Summit held in New Delhi showcased the country's commitment to "fostering a sense of global togetherness."

She highlighted various instances when India practised ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which means the world is a family. In her opening remarks at the ‘International Conference on ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ held at United Nations Headquarters in New York, Ms. Kamboj said, “The recent G20 summit is an event that showcased India’s commitment to fostering a sense of global togetherness. Our leadership, marked by inclusivity and collaboration, saw the participation of 20 member states, nine invitee nations, and 14 international organisations. What is more, it witnessed the historic inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, amplifying the voices of nations often left unheard,” she added.

Notably, the theme for India’s G20 Presidency was ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth One Family One Future’. The G20 Leaders Summit hosted in Delhi from September 9-10 drew the highest-ever contingent of world leaders and dignitaries in the event’s history, including U.S. President Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of the U.K. Rishi Sunak.

Ms. Kamboj recalled PM Modi emphasising the significance of women-led development at the G20 Summit. She stressed that ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ finds expression in the empowerment of women. She also recalled PM Modi’s remarks regarding India’s model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology.”

At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the significance of women-led development, highlighting that nearly 45% of STEM graduates in India are women. And indeed, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ finds expression in the empowerment of women, who now play pivotal roles in India’s space programme, business landscape, and various fields,” she said.

“Again, the Indian Prime Minister also highlighted India’s model of financial inclusion in leveraging technology to make development increasingly equitable. Using this model, India has transferred 360 billion dollars directly to the bank accounts of those in need over the past decade. As the World Bank has acknowledged, this model has successfully achieved a financial inclusion rate in six years which would have taken 47 years to achieve,” she added.

Citing industry estimates, Ms. Kamboj said the costs incurred by banks for onboarding customers in India due to the use of its digital public infrastructure decreased from $23 to $0.1. Emphasising that yoga embodies the concept of unity, Ms. Kamboj stated that the International Day of Yoga, celebrated annually at the UN Headquarters, “brings people from diverse nationalities together in a harmonious union of body and mind, emphasising our shared humanity.”