PM urged Kant to build 'consensus' before G20 Summit

New Delhi

In his new book How India Scaled Mt G20: The Inside Story of the G20 Presidency, Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa, shares behind-the-scenes insights into the intense negotiations leading to the successful G20 summit in New Delhi in September 2023. Just before the summit began, PM Modi asked Kant about the status of the Leaders' Declaration. When Kant revealed there were issues, Modi insisted on reaching a consensus quickly. Kant then met with fellow Sherpas and, after hours of intense discussions, managed to finalize the agreement.

The declaration, which addressed key global issues including the Russia-Ukraine war, faced challenges, including objections from Russia over the inclusion of the word sanction. Kant recalls using a bold tactic to resolve tensions with Russia, while also navigating US-China tensions over visa issues for the upcoming 2026 US-hosted summit.

Despite numerous hurdles, including constant revisions and over 300 hours of negotiations, Kant and his team secured a consensus early on the first day of the summit. Modi later announced the successful declaration, marking India’s diplomatic victory. Kant’s book highlights India's journey from a developing nation to a global leader, shaping solutions for both developing and developed countries.