India hosts the G20 summit starting Saturday; you have been Prime Minister of India for a decade (2004-14) throughout which you have been part of many G20 summits. How do you see the altering or evolving position of international coverage in home politics?

Manmohan Singh: I’m very glad that India’s rotational probability for the Presidency of the G20 got here throughout my lifetime and I’m witness to India internet hosting world leaders for the G20 summit. Foreign coverage has all the time been an essential aspect of India’s governance framework, however it’s honest to say that it has develop into much more related and essential to home politics in the present day than earlier. While India’s standing on the planet ought to rightfully be a problem in home politics, it’s equally essential to train restraint in utilizing diplomacy and international coverage for get together or private politics.

How do you view India’s place on the world excessive desk now and its position within the present — and altering — world order?

Manmohan Singh: The worldwide order may be very completely different now, particularly after the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the geo-political rift between the Western nations and China. India has a pivotal position to play in steering this new world order. As a peaceable massive democracy with Constitutional values, constructed since Independence, and a big rising financial system, India instructions immense respect globally.

G20 was elevated from a discussion board of preliminary ministerial degree session into heads of presidency summits following the worldwide monetary meltdown in 2008. Both the worldwide financial system and Indian financial system have seen many ups and downs since then. What are the challenges earlier than the worldwide financial system now, and the way is India positioned at this juncture?

Manmohan Singh: India’s exterior commerce as a share of its GDP doubled within the decade from 2005 to 2015, which benefitted us enormously, lifting a whole bunch of thousands and thousands out of poverty. This additionally signifies that India’s financial system is far more built-in with the worldwide financial system. During the 2008 financial crisis, the G20 did very nicely in coordinating coverage responses, strengthening world monetary security nets and initiating a means of inter-governmental coordination. Currently, there’s speak of de-globalisation and new sorts of commerce restrictions. These can disrupt the present order but additionally open new alternatives for India in world provide chains. It is in India’s financial pursuits to not get trapped in conflicts and preserve an equilibrium of buying and selling relationships throughout nations and areas.

What are the challenges earlier than the G20 nations now, particularly within the wake of the Russia-Ukraine struggle? How deft has New Delhi been in managing its relations with Russia and the West?

Manmohan Singh: When two or extra powers are caught in a battle, there’s immense strain on different nations to decide on sides. I consider India has executed the correct factor in placing our sovereign and financial pursuits first whereas additionally interesting for peace. The G20 was by no means envisaged because the discussion board for settling security-related conflicts. It is essential for the G20 to put aside safety variations and hold its concentrate on coverage coordination to sort out the challenges of local weather, inequality and confidence in world commerce.

India and China are members of the G20 as additionally BRICS. The pressure on the LAC is way from resolved. As a former Prime Minister how do you see the India-China relationship and what’s your recommendation to the federal government?

Manmohan Singh: It isn’t proper for me to supply recommendation to the Prime Minister on the way to deal with advanced diplomatic issues. It is unlucky that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen to not attend the G20 summit. I hope and consider the Prime Minister will take all steps mandatory to guard India’s territorial and sovereign integrity and defuse bilateral tensions.

Chandrayaan-1 was launched whenever you have been the Prime Minister. Now India has landed a spacecraft close to Moon’s South Pole. How do you consider the Chandrayaan program and its success?

Manmohan Singh: It is a matter of nice pleasure that India’s scientific institution has as soon as once more proved its mettle as being among the many finest on the planet. Our efforts during the last seven a long time in selling scientific mood in society and creating establishments have yielded monumental good points and made us all proud. I’m actually thrilled that the Chandrayaan mission, which was launched in 2008, has reached new heights by being the primary to succeed in the south pole of the Moon. My heartfelt congratulations to all of the men and women in ISRO.

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, 2012. File/Express photograph By Anil Sharma

What are the challenges earlier than India — within the medium time period what are the reforms important for the financial system and the way would you sequence them? Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated that India will develop into the third largest financial system in his subsequent time period. How do you see this?

Manmohan Singh: As I wrote in an article final yr in The Hindu, India stands on the precipice of a novel financial alternative in a altering world order. As a peaceable democracy with a big market and considerable human and pure sources, India can rise to develop into an financial powerhouse of the world within the coming a long time by way of emphasis on manufacturing and manufacturing mixed with companies. As the world transitions to an environment-friendly growth mannequin, it opens new avenues equivalent to inexperienced mobility, minerals and clear applied sciences that India have to be able to capitalise on, which may yield jobs and prosperity to our individuals.

As India celebrates 75 years of Independence, how do you see the challenges forward?

Manmohan Singh: On the entire, I’m extra optimistic about India’s future than anxious. However, my optimism is contingent on India being a harmonious society, which is the bedrock for all progress and growth. India’s innate intuition is to welcome and have fun range which have to be preserved.