What is the G20 logo and its significance?

Its presidency is awarded on a rotational basis and the host is responsible for releasing logos and the overarching theme of the year’s meetings. India has introduced the lotus as its logo and the Sanskrit phrase ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future’ as the theme. Bharat, the other name for India, is also written alongside.

What is the 2023 G20 logo and its significance?

A government press release says: “The G20 Logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India’s national flag – saffron, white and green, and blue. It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower that reflects growth amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect harmony with nature.”

Introducing the lotus logo via a video conference last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India’s G20 presidency is coming at a time of crisis and chaos in the world… The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century pandemic, conflicts and a lot of economic uncertainty… The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in this time. No matter how adverse the circumstances, the lotus still blooms. Even if the world is in a deep crisis, we can still progress and make the world a better place.”

He said, “In Indian culture, both the Goddesses of knowledge and prosperity are seated on a lotus. This is what the world needs most today. Shared knowledge that helps us overcome our circumstances. Shared prosperity that reaches the last person at the last mile… This is why, in the G20 logo, the Earth is placed on a lotus too.”

“The seven petals of the lotus in the logo are also significant. They represent the seven continents. Seven is also the number of notes in the universal language of music. In music, when the seven notes come together, they create a perfect harmony. But each note has its own uniqueness. Similarly, the G20 aims to bring the world together in harmony while respecting diversity,” he added.

The logo is to reflect the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the whole earth is a family). “The lotus flower symbolises our Puranic heritage, our aastha (belief) and boddhikta (intellectualism),” the PM said.

What is the significance of the G20 theme?

According to the official G20 website, the theme – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future’” – is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. “Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe,” it adds.

“India, with its mantra of ‘One Sun, One World, One Grid’, has called for a renewable energy revolution in the world. India took up a campaign of ‘One World, One Health’ to strengthen global health. Now, in the G20 also, our mantra is One Earth, One Family, One Future. These thoughts and values of India show the way for the welfare of the world,” the Prime Minister said.

Further, the website says the theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), “with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development, leading to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer future.”

“The logo and the theme together convey a powerful message of India’s G20 Presidency, which is of striving for just and equitable growth for all in the world,” the press release adds.