India to host UAE and Oman at all G20 related meetings ahead of summit

India takes a unique move to invite its closure bay Partner United Arab Emirates ET has learned that Oman will participate in all G20 meetings during its presidency of the Group of 20 major developed and developing economies.

The move means Oman and the UAE will participate in more than 200 meetings during India’s G20 presidency from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. Another Gulf country close to India, Saudi Arabia, will also participate in all meetings as a G20 member.

People familiar with the matter told ET that the decision shows the strong partnership between India and the Gulf region and the importance of the region to India’s strategic and economic interests and the recovery of the global economy.

While Oman is India’s oldest strategic partner in the Gulf, the UAE has emerged as a strong partner across industries.

During its presidency, India will host 215 G20 meetings in various formats – ministerial, working group and engagement group meetings and related events at 56 locations covering all states and union territories of the country.

“India is widely regarded as the ‘voice of the global south’, which places greater responsibility on New Delhi,” said the country’s G20 chief coordinator grim vardan shrinla Speaking at a preparatory meeting recently. “India’s presidency of the G20 will be a golden opportunity for the country to correct long-standing anomalies that have been detrimental to developing countries, especially in the areas of agriculture and food subsidies.”

2023 G20 summit He said “Brand India” will be promoted, tourism and digitalisation in India will be encouraged, B2B connections will be supported and India’s priorities and narrative will be placed on the global agenda.

“By having an effective agenda, New Delhi can navigate a volatile world beset by post-Covid economic recovery, Russia-Ukraine conflict, slowing SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) agenda, debt crisis and looming recession,” he said. Shringla said. “India’s good reputation as a peaceful nation geared towards growth and digital transformation and sensitive to climate change and green development will help her lead the G20 with dynamism, efficiency and conviction.”

He said the G20 needed to work towards building resilient societies post-pandemic. “A sustainable lifestyle requires investment in education, nutrition and health,” Shringla said. “We need to work with our partners to promote and mobilize investment in these important areas for the benefit of all, especially developing countries.”

India will invite Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and United Arab Emirates as a guest country of the summit.