CUTS Washington Monthly Brief
#15, June 2019
Positive Signals from Osaka

The just-concluded (June 28-29) Osaka G20 Summit witnessed a conciliatory approach on the part of the US President Donald Trump on a range of issues threatening global peace and security. Not only that he agreed to resume talks with China to resolve their bilateral disputes over the treatment of trade and technology, he showed conciliation toward other pressing issues such as 5G technology, Iran. 

He even had an impromptu meeting with the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on 30th June at the demilitarised zone bordering the two Koreas. This underlines the fact that public opinion matters as evident from recent surveys on presidential ratings in the US and thus, there is triumph of diplomacy over rhetoric. 

After several rounds of discussions and deliberations among the global leadership, the Osaka Summit came out with a comprehensive Leaders' Declaration covering issues ranging from trade and digital economy to climate change to women' s empowerment. It sets the agenda for the recovery of global growth in a balanced and sustainable manner.

While the G20 Summit in Osaka ended on a positive note, our world will continue to face with similar and new challenges. It is up to the leadership of these countries and others to address them in a constructive and balanced manner by upholding the virtues of multilateralism. Otherwise, the second decade of this millennium may see deeper crisis as witnessed during the inter-war years a century ago. 

Other than the G20 group as a whole, the primary onus will be on the leadership of Saudi Arabia and Italy to take this process of forward over the next two years. In 2022, on the occasion of 75th anniversary of our independence, India will discharge its responsibility of G20 presidency. Let us make best use of this period to secure our national interests with prosperity and announce our elevation from an emerging to a major balancing power. 

 
Pradeep S. Mehta
Editor
P.S.  In spite of being a member of NATO, Turkey is buying Russian S-400 missiles and defence system. So what's wrong with India buying the same from its all-weather friend Russia? 

 
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India-US ties: Pompeo says great friends disagree, Jaishankar firm on S-400 deal
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