Opinion D Raja writes: Modi government’s G20 rhetoric exposes its hypocrisy

PM's rhetoric about democracy, diversity and inclusivity for international audience is in sharp contrast to his regime's actions at home

d raja writes on india's g20 presidency and the hypocrisy of the modi government

It is appalling that when the foreign policy of other countries is focused on concrete deliverables, our foreign policy seems unconcerned with taking independent positions. (File)

D. Raja

May 20, 2023 09:31 AM IST First published on: May 20, 2023 at 07:15 AM IST

The Group of 20 (G20), of which India is currently president, was formed in 1999 to deal with broad issues in the global economy. It was formed when neoliberal capitalism was increasing its influence. The group failed to recognise economic trends and could not avert the financial meltdown of 2008.

Consequently, the G8/G7 groups became more prominent when it came to influencing policies in turbulent times. But G7 was often charged with excluding several countries. G20, which gives the appearance of inclusivity, is very restricted compared to the UN, Non-Aligned Movement or the G77 which grew from NAM. India’s Presidency of the G20 has both domestic and international implications and we must look at it in terms of what it means for the people, at home and abroad.

The BJP and media have presented a presidency that is bestowed through a rotation system as evidence of India’s growing clout internationally. People are being fed the myth that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s charisma is turning diplomatic tides India’s way. The fact is the G20 presidency is not a major accomplishment of India. In fact, India was scheduled to take over the presidency last year. The PM’s achievement here, if any, is deferring it by a year to 2023, when nine states go to the polls and the run-up to the general election begins. Showcasing foreign dignitaries all over the country for various G20 meetings with large hoardings of the PM serves the BJP’s electoral ends. The exchequer will foot the bill.

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The discord between rhetoric and reality is most evident in the PM’s blog about the agenda for India’s presidency. He wrote that “India is a microcosm of the world” with an “immense diversity of languages, religions, customs and beliefs”. This diversity has remained India’s greatest strength over the years but is under unprecedented strain under the Modi regime. The RSS-BJP is obsessed with homogeneity and tries to flatten out diversity and differences proactively. Whether it is the imposition of Hindi or discrimination against religious minorities and lynching of people for what they eat or targeting them for their clothing, the RSS’s idea of uniformity remains at work. Dismantling the federal structure of the country has been flagged by many as a consistent feature of the Modi government.

Further, the PM wrote that “India contributes to the foundational DNA of democracy” at a time when the democratic character of India is being attacked by majoritarian aggression. Parliament is being made redundant and judicial independence is encroached upon. Central agencies are being used against the Opposition. Dissent is being criminalised and civil liberties gasp for breath. Draconian laws are invoked against those who dare question the regime and expose them. The basic secular, democratic and argumentative DNA our freedom struggle intended to inculcate is under threat. Critical questions about corporations like Adani and the role of capital were not allowed to be raised in Parliament. This gag should be worrisome for the “foundational DNA of democracy”.

“One Earth, One Family, One Future” is the mantra the PM gave for the G20 summit. This slogan is also a good yardstick to gauge the Modi administration. A family does not discriminate among its members. Under Modi’s watch, discrimination against minorities became institutionalised. The controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) openly discriminates on the basis of religion. The CAA was also a test of Modi’s foreign policy as this discriminatory law brought international condemnation to India. The high priest of the RSS, MS Golwalkar, said even before Independence and Partition that the minorities “may stay in the country, wholly subordinated to the Hindu Nation, claiming nothing, deserving no privileges, far less any preferential treatment not even citizen’s rights.” It is this divisive and communal design of a “family” that RSS-BJP is trying to build in the country.

Leaders of our freedom movement were vigilant about forging and extending solidarity and support to those who needed it. Post-Independence, this legacy of unity with the oppressed was institutionalised as the Non-Aligned Movement and India emerged as the most significant voice for decolonisation, Afro-Asian unity and peace. These credentials are being watered down with India moving closer to the West and being drawn into US-led military alliances. This policy is failing to take meaningful positions on important issues and precludes unity between countries of the Global South against Western hegemony.

Over the years, India’s foreign policy priorities have become narrow. Instead of pursuing a policy of cooperation, solidarity, peace and progress, the energies of our diplomatic corps are being invested in only propagating and protecting the larger-than-life image of the leader. It is appalling that when the foreign policy of other countries is focused on concrete deliverables, our foreign policy seems unconcerned with taking independent positions.

One of the PM’s favourite phrases, “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, gives the harmonious message of belonging. But for whom is the world “one family”? The complete verse that contains the phrase answers this. It goes: “this is mine, that is his, say the small-minded”. The G20 presidency is a way for the current regime to show that it is capable of magnanimity and start treating people equally. The larger family of the Global South awaits us.

The writer is General Secretary, CPI