Twitter
Advertisement

PM Narendra Modi the master of headlines sees 'collective' voice at G20 summit

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

This is an interesting week for the prime minister who is visiting Australia. With every new visit he is maturing as a statesman, and at the same time also lies some big challenges ahead of him as expectations of his promises go up. Modi got off to a flying start even before the G20 summit began with US president Barack Obama describing him "as a man of action" during their meeting on the sidelines of the East Asia Summit in Myanmar.

With two international summits back to back Modi's attention is divided on key matters. This is the second time he is at a BRICS meeting since becoming the PM and the Brazil to Brisbane story has evolved step by step. Modi too appears to be giving the impression that he is more aligned with and alert to the BRICS rather than other nations at the G20 which is also happening in Brisbane. This is an interesting brand positioning for himself given that India is looking to get a higher position among peers. Modi possibly sees merit of a 'collective' voice in meetings with emerging economies.

What Modi is alluding to is something that many corporations have tried to do as well -the idea of emerging to emerging market relationships and finding growth and businesses within. There is a continuous dialogue towards building our own markets and giving them support by creation of local industry. Modi in his conversations with the BRICS leaders called for more use of new generation infrastructure to support the needs of our large populations. With the G20, the agenda stays much of the same. The need is to get an India EU free trade agreement and build on job creating opportunities.

But from a signaling point of view, Modi has made a few headlines. Instead of a handshake he chose to hug the Australian PM Tony Abbot. Modi's proposal of having an international Yoga Day, which he had proposed at the UN, got further impetus with EU Chief Herman Rompuy telling him that the 28-member bloc supported his initiative for a Yoga Day. With these Modi has become the master of headlines.

With Abbot, Modi is scheduled to hold talks to boost trade, investment, energy and security partnership too. However, apart from the nuclear deal, Modi may look at some other agreements on social security, MoUs on tourism and cultural cooperation. India and Australia may have plenty of points to exchange on mining use and natural resources but it's unlikely that India will look for easy conversations given our internal discord on environment and use of natural resources.

One hopes that with all this going on there will also be some interaction on sport - and one that is common to both nations is golf. Few Indians have exposure to Australia's wide options in courses and this could change.

Sunday evening saw another Indian Rashid Khan grab the Chiangmai Classic while Anirban Lahiri had won two weeks ago at Macau. In between bilateral, the G20 and foreign policy, what could go a long mile is discussion and exploring sport diplomacy for the two countries.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement