India’s G20 Presidency has helped the nation earn the respect of other countries, said Deloitte’s South Asia CEO Romal Shetty. The company’s executive noted that by focusing on inclusivity, digital infrastructure, and with efforts to include the African Union within the group, India has earned praise on a global scale.
Talking in an interview to PTI, Shetty stated that the move of the Indian government to host G20 meetings across cities in the country enhanced trade and tourism and promoted infrastructure development.
About the proposal to include the African Union in the G20 fold, he added, “Africa is a continent of 1 billion people and its inclusion in G20 will enhance trade opportunities with Asia and rest of the world. India has focussed a lot on inclusivity. Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) says that nobody should be left behind. Every voice should be heard. One of the things India has done is to bring in Africa or try to bring in Africa in G20. Also, look at it from trade perspective. My view is if you look at Africa, a billion people continent. If you look at South Asia, a two billion people continent. You are actually bringing people together. You can have trade with 3 billion people. Today the trade levels are fairly low.”
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Notably, during an interview last week, the Prime Minister conveyed the importance of Africa for India and the G20 summit. The Deloitte executive noted that India has been focusing on climate change, trade flows and digital public infrastructure issues among others in it’s G20 presidency. He added, “We clearly see India taking on a certain role in building framework.... It is not about one country, it is about understanding what everyone wants. In that sense, India is positioned well in the G20 and has earned the respect of other countries.” The company has collaborated as a knowledge partner in multiple task forces under the Indian G20 presidency.