Bhubaneswar: The G-20 presidency gives India a chance to shape the agenda for global cooperation as the world emerges from the shadows of the Covid-19 pandemic. The group’s importance is reflected by its economic strength. New Delhi is eager to project the presidency as an opportunity to underline its emerging status as a leading power, said former Ambassador of India Debraj Pradhan here recently.
Addressing a national seminar on India’s G20 Presidency: Our Foreign Policy Imperatives & Global Priorities organized by Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), Odisha Regional Branch, in association with Department of Public Administration, Utkal University as chief guest, Pradhan explained how diplomatic relations have evolved over a period of time in the world and how India took hold of its interests while considering other nations’ interests.
Since its independence, India has been a strong advocate of multilateralism, actively participating in forums on issues including nuclear nonproliferation, global trade rules, climate change, and humanitarian intervention. As part of its presidency, India is hosting 200 meetings of different G-20 tracks in cities across the country – making Indian states stakeholders in New Delhi’s global engagement. These meetings will mark some of the most significant diplomatic outreach that India has ever undertaken, he highlighted.
Chairing the seminar, Chairman of IIPA, Odisha Regional Branch Dr. Arun Kumar Rath, a former bureaucrat said India is keen to address what it sees as the world’s pressing issues through its leadership, including climate change, food security, health care, and technology. New Delhi has historically raised concerns on behalf of the global south within multilateral forums, and it will undoubtedly leverage its presidency to do the same at the G-20 high table. During its year of leadership, India is expected to highlight issues that matter for emerging economies: digital public infrastructure, entrepreneurship and innovation, climate justice, and affordable access to health care, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of PG Council, Utkal University Prof. Durga Shankar Pattanaik stressed on the implementation of sustainable development agenda and welfare of all bridging all barriers of divide.
Secretary of IIPA Ashok Mohapatra introduced the Chief Speaker of the national seminar. While Head of the Department of Public Administration Prof. Padmalaya Mahapatra presented the welcome address, advisor of IIPA Sarat Chandra Mishra and Kalyan Roy shared their critical comments on the deliberations. Vice-Chairman of IIPA Dr. Pratip Kumar Mishra summarized the session with his insightful observations.
On the occasion, four students of both Public Administration department and Journalism programme were felicitated for their outstanding contribution towards the cause of the department during April 2023 NAAC peer team visit to the university. While Assistant Professor Dr. Hemant Kumar Dash coordinated the event, Assistant Professor Dr. Jyotirmayee Tudu proposed the official vote of thanks.
