World in 2022: Peace needed more than ever

New Delhi: In 2022, millions of people worldwide had to flee their dwellings. From Ukraine to Afghanistan to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond, people left the ruins of their homes and lives in search of something better, said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his New Year message. 

“Around the world, 100 million people were on the move, fleeing wars, wildfires, droughts, poverty and hunger,” added Secretary General. 

“In 2023, let’s put peace at the heart of our words and actions. Together, let’s make 2023 a year when peace is restored to our lives, our homes and our world,” the UN chief said.

2022 has been a year of severe inflation, where every country in the world grapples with soaring prices and double-digit inflation. According to The Economist, the global inflation rate has been at 9 to 10 per cent. Many predominantly European countries feel the effects for the first time after World War II.

Russia Ukraine war

When Russia invaded Ukraine early this year, it was believed that the war would end quickly and be an easy victory for Russia. Still, it has been lingering for over ten months, where nearly every European country, the US, and Australia have gotten involved along with the US. 

Around eight million refugees fled from Ukraine, and an equal number were internally displaced. Economist quoting the US estimates that 100,000 troops on each side had died or were injured in the war, and around 40,000 civilians had been killed.

For the United Kingdom, it was the year of two monarchs, three Prime Ministers and four chancellors. Finally, an Indian-origin Prime Minister in the UK, Rishi Sunak, has calmed the troubled waters of the UK. In addition, Queen Elizabeth died at the age of 96.

Covid-19 in 2022

The only relief in 2022 was that the Covid-19 virus became less dangerous. Vaccination relieved the global population, allowing people to travel after two years and reengage in international business freely. Tourism revived, but inflation continues. 

The Chinese Premier Xi Jinping secured a third term, thus making him and China stronger globally. In his third term, Xi Jinping will make some bold decisions. 

For the digital world, it was a shock when Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and Space X, bought Twitter, thus affecting the big tech companies as many top organizations started laying off their employees. 

In the south South of the Globe, Ethiopia continued to see a rebellion in Tigray, and the worst drought in the Horn of Africa remained in the news. 

The world population has passed 8 billion just 12 years after it reached 7 billion. 

India’s neighbourhood

In Sri Lanka, the spike in food prices and a fertilizer scandal made people come on the street and storm the palace of the President, thus bringing a significant economic and political crisis to the country. The President had to flee the country. 

In Pakistan, Imran Khan was ousted as Prime Minister of Pakistan. Since then, a political crisis has echoed in the country. A failed assassination attempt on Imran Khan and a change of guards of the Pakistan army was much in the news in 2022.

Nepal saw a change of guard in the ruling party. To much annoyance of India, the Maoist leader Prachanda took over the reins of power supported by Oli’s party, which is more or less seen inclined towards China. 

In Afghanistan, hunger continues, and millions seek food and jobs. Meanwhile Taliban government, despite strong resistance from the world, have banned women from senior education and employment in the NGO sector. Afghanistan security remains a worry as suicidal blasts and internecine clashes between the ruling Taliban and Islamic State continue. 

The progress report of India in 2022 remained respectable internationally, where India was able to maintain its strength and visibility and, internally, succeeded in keeping inflation under control and GDP remained between 6 to 7 per cent. 

India chairs the high table of multilateral platforms

In the last month of December 2022, India dominated the global news when it took over not only the affairs of the G20 but also the chair of the United Nations Security Council. It was the second time that India was chairing the UNSC in 2022. 

The special meeting of the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee on Countering the use of new and emerging technologies for terrorist purposes; was held in India on 28-29 October 2022. Also, India conducted an Interpol international meeting in Delhi too.

Indian diplomacy and travel continue to expand in 2022

2022 also saw more than fifty countries' heads, deputies or top ministries visiting India on official business. India received the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Maldives, United Kingdom, Mauritius, Nepal and Japan.

The Indian Prime Minister visited Indonesia to attend the G20 Summit, a great success for the Indian Prime Minister to have one-on-one meetings with top country leaders. 

Prime Minister also visited Japan, Uzbekistan, Germany, UAE, Nepal, and France and met their country’s Heads of State to build long-lasting partnerships in trade and culture and strengthen the geo-strategic positing of India across the globe.

There have been an equal number of visits of the Indian President and Vice President and not to talk of the battery of the Four senior and Junior Foreign Ministers across the globe. 

The Indian government, in 2022, also officially received more than 100 foreign delegations, including senior ministers and trade leaders. Equally, 2022 also witnessed scores of virtual high-profile multilateral and bilateral meetings. 

Other multilateral platforms

India also has been playing an extraordinary role in the multilateral platforms in Indo- Pacific, Bricks, SCO and Quad. India’s recognition and active participation with well-researched teams brought phenomenal results back home. 

In Russia Ukraine war, India is seen as a key player and the Indian Prime Minister is seen as a strong negotiator, incredibly where India maintained relations and business with Russia on the one hand and Ukraine and the West countries on the other hand.

In the early days of the War, India’s neutral stance in the Russian-Ukraine war had raised concerns in the US and the West, who wanted India to boycott trade and relations with Russia. 

India even successfully evacuated its citizens/students from Ukraine and brought some desperate students of the neighbouring countries back to their respective safe places. 

Indian China relations

One area where India fell short was mending its relationship with China. When one expected that shaking hands between re-elected Chinese Premium Xi Jinping and Narender Modi at G 20 meeting in Indonesia in October after their estranged relationship and marinating distance at the SCO meeting in Uzbekistan might improve. But recent faceoff between the Indian and the Chinese soldiers have once again slipped the hope.  

India Pakistan relations

With Pakistan, India maintained a distance from Pakistan as the trust deficit continued. India, in 2022, never wanted to talk about peace or dialogue with the weak leadership of Pakistan. Politically and economically, Pakistan continues to remain unstable. How new military leadership will emerge after their much-hyped and public criticism for indulging in politics is yet to be seen.