Billboards looming across cities with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s image. Footage of Modi with world leaders playing at public places, including Metros. Events across the country to ensure that the image of India as a changing power under Modi is imprinted in all corners. And packaging the same with an infrastructure push that can be seen and felt by the common man. The ruling BJP has left no stone unturned to underline that the G20 Summit, which begins in earnest on Saturday, is a reflection of Modi's “success” in bringing India to the world centre stage – the efforts dovetailing nicely with the party's campaign pitch ahead of crucial electoral contests. Party leaders say that the BJP began discussions at the senior level on the opportunity provided by G20 back in November last year, when the presidency of the multi-nation forum came to it as part of a rotational exercise. The message was that the G20 Presidency should be used as an opportunity to showcase the country’s culture and diversity and project it as the success of Modi's visionary leadership. The diversity message was especially crucial given the criticism of the Modi government's treatment of minorities coming from some global quarters. The preparations for the G20 meeting have been of an unprecedented scale, particularly when compared to diplomatic events India has hosted in the past. In fact, the BJP has always been conscious of the power of diplomatic success to send a political message. A write-up on foreign policy on the party’s official website says: “A good policy, according to Kautilya, must achieve four things: to acquire what the nation does not have, to preserve what it has, to enhance what is preserved, and to use for the welfare of the people what is enhanced. Foreign policy, too, has to serve these ends.” In election campaigns in the past too, the projection of foreign policy success is believed to have helped the BJP, with its workers telling the electorate how it would translate into more investments and jobs. “The rising stature of the country in the world” was a refrain common across campaign trails. The 'Vishwa Guru' moniker used interchangeably for India and Modi by the BJP is no coincidence either, fitting with the RSS's long-held view of India as a country that must return to its mythical golden era. The invasion by “Islamic rulers”, the British raj, the Partition of the country are all seen as blows that ended that era. Ever since Modi became PM, the party – and he himself – have used every international event India has been a part of to claim a changing view of the country at the global level. Through the year, the PM has called his government's preparations for G20 an acknowledgment of the diversity and inclusiveness of the country. In a full endorsement, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has called it a testimony of the world’s approach to India. “The world needs India now. India figures in global discussions and Indians have also become confident that they can lead the world. The chairmanship of G20 coming to India is not an ordinary thing. But it is just a beginning and we have a long way to go and the entire society has to work towards making India Vishwa Guru,” Bhagwat said last year. Says BJP national vice president Jay Panda: “India has transformed under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, and Indians have finally shaken off the colonial mindset of inferiority, diffidence and helplessness. As the world’s fifth largest and fastest growing economy, India is now taking the lead role in tackling global challenges, both in setting an example and aiding other countries. Best of all, this is being welcomed enthusiastically by almost all nations, who see India’s rise as a force for good. This G20 Summit exemplifies this transformation, being held on an order of magnitude bigger than any previous G20.” BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli says Modi has brought India to the centre stage. “The flurry of events, be it the BRICS Summit or G20 or even ASEAN, have brought India, its economy and culture to the centre stage. The G20 events that have been held across states have showcased the country's diversity in a manner like never before. It has become a people’s movement, and there can be no room for criticism on this.” Party leaders say the euphoria generated around the G20 Summit will occupy a major part in the BJP's campaign in the coming Assembly elections in five states, in many of which the BJP is facing a tough contest against the Congress. While the agenda for the special session of Parliament called by the Modi government, soon after the end of the G20 Summit, is still not clear, sources said G20 and the Modi government's foreign policy achievements are likely to figure.
