INDIA G20 PRESIDENCY

India by assuming the G20 presidency has the chance to play an important role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues.

From a geopolitical perspective, this means India can take the opportunity to leverage its historical and amenable ties with Russia, and bring a more isolated Moscow to the discussion and diplomacy roundtable of over 200 G20 meetings to follow. It can use its platform to address the Ukraine conflict, strategizing for peace and a path toward reconciliation as much as possible.

INDIA’S SOFT POWER

India exerts its soft power very gently, but is prominent in a number of fields:

HONORING VLADIMIR KARA-MURZA

Born 7 September 1981, Vladimir Kara-Mutza  is a Russian political activist, journalist, author, and filmmaker. A protégé of Boris Nemtsov, he serves as vice-chairman of Open Russia, an NGO founded by Russian businessman and former oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky, which promotes civil society and democracy in Russia. He was elected to the Coordinating Council of the Russian Opposition in 2012, and served as deputy leader of the People’s Freedom Party from 2015 to 2016. He has directed two documentaries, They Chose Freedom and Nemtsov.

ON THE DOORSTEP OF WORLD WAR III

Most of the major factors that could lead to a global conflagration are currently present. The war in Ukraine could escalate and become even more internationalized in the next few months; and if the United States and NATO go to war with Russia, other authoritarian regimes may take advantage of the situation to attack America’s allies if not America itself.

WHO ARE RUSSIA’S SUPPORTING COUNTRIES IF NOT OUTRIGHT ALLIES?

Belarus: Militarily, Belarus is Russia’s biggest supporter having allowed both its land and airspace to be used by the Kremlin’s forces. Despite resisting pressure thus far from Putin to send troops into Ukraine, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko has had no qualms about the thousands of missiles launched from his territory toward Ukraine’s cities. Lukashenko has little choice in the matter given he’s only still in power because Russia helped him quash a popular uprising after a contested election in 2020.

THE WORLD’S TOP 20 SOFT POWER NATIONS IN 2023

The Global Soft Power Index incorporates a broad range of measures, which in combination provide a balanced and holistic assessment of nation’s presence, reputation and impact on the world stage. These include familiarity, influence and reputation as well as performance on eight soft power pillars, including

DEFENSE SPENDING BY NATO MEMBER COUNTRY

MACRON'S DIPLOMATIC TEAM

1. Diplomatic Adviser, G20 and G7 Sherpa: Mr. Emmanuel BONNE. Diplômé de l'Institut d'études politiques (IEP) de Grenoble. Diplômé d'études approfondies (DEA) de science politique comparative.

2. Africa Adviser: Mr. Franck PARIS. Maîtrise d'anglais de l'Université de Montpelier, Diplômé de l'Institut d'études politiques (IEP) de Paris, Ancien élève de l'Ecole nationale d'administration (ENA), promotion Léopold Sédar Senghor.

MACRON’S HYPER-PERSONALIZED APPROACH TO FOREIGN POLICY IS A FIASCO

Macron runs France’s foreign policy single-handedly with a small team of advisers. French presidents traditionally have more control over their country’s foreign policy than other western leaders who have to wrestle with strong parliaments or foreign affairs ministries. But there are weaknesses in a hyper-centralized diplomatic machine. This model of foreign policy, which is completely centralized at the Elysée, has reached its limits.

FRANCE’S INDO-PACIFIC STRATEGY

France as a ‘balancing power’ or “puissance d’équilibre,” a concept as vague in English as it is in French.

French officials insist that Paris rejects the notion of “confrontation” between great powers in the region. The goal of France’s Indo-Pacific strategy is not to counter China but to promote partnerships focused on common interests rather than common threats. Such French rhetoric plays as a barely veiled critique of the American posture, perceived in Paris (as well as in some Asian capitals) as too polarizing.

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