G20 India Presidency & Culture: A Brief Overview
India’s G20 Presidency, guided by the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" or "One Earth · One Family · One Future", focused on global unity, sustainable development, and digital transformation. A significant milestone was the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent G20 member, strengthening global south representation.
India also led key initiatives such as LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), encouraging sustainable living, and showcased innovations in Digital Public Infrastructure like Aadhaar, UPI, and CoWIN. Culture took center stage through the G20 Culture Working Group (CWG), which held four major meetings in Khajuraho, Bhubaneswar, Hampi, and Varanasi, each highlighting themes like cultural heritage, creative economies, digital tools, and global cultural exchange.
The New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration acknowledged culture’s vital role in peace and sustainable development. The Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi emphasized international collaboration and heritage preservation, with the Kashi Cultural Pathway showcasing the city's living traditions.
Key projects included the Global Centre for Cultural Heritage, a Creative Economy Partnership, the Digital Archive of Indian Culture, and the Indian Arts Global Network, reinforcing India’s commitment to cultural promotion at both national and international levels. India’s G20 Presidency placed culture at the heart of global cooperation, leaving a lasting legacy for future global development.
