모디 총리 G20 화상회의 “세계화의 정의 다시 내려야”···인도 전역 3주간 봉쇄

[아시아엔=프라모드 마투 인도 대표] 3월 26일 G20 화상 정상회의가 소집되었다. 회의 목적은 코로나 전염병으로 발생한 상황에 대해 논의하고 국제적인 차원의 대응방안을 모색하기 위해서였다. 인도의 모디 총리는 G20그룹에 속해있는 모든 국가를 향해 “세계화의 정의를 다시 적용하라”고 촉구했다. 모디는 “소수의 이익에 균형을 맞추기보다는 모든 사람들의 집단이익에 초점을 맞추라”고 강조했다.

모디 총리가 이번 회의에서 내놓은 권고안에는 “우리 비전의 중심에 경제적 목표보다 사람을 두는 것”이 포함되었다. 회의에 참여한 각국 정상들은 “전염병을 억제하고 사람들을 보호하기 위해 필요한 모든 조치를 취하기”로 합의했다. 그들은 또한 의료시스템을 포함한 전염병 퇴치 관련 세계보건기구(WHO)의 권한을 강화하는 것을 지지했다.

정상들은 이와 함께 전염병의 경제적, 사회적 비용을 최소화하기 위해 이용 가능한 모든 정책수단을 사용하기로 약속했다. 이를 위해 G20국가들은 세계경제 회생을 위해 5조 달러 이상을 투입할 것이라고 밝혔다.

지난 2주 동안 모디 총리는 두 차례 대국민 연설을 했으며 인도 내 모든 주는 21일 동안 완전히 봉쇄되었다. 현재 코로나는 많은 이로 하여금 소비주의, 물질주의, 그리고 자본주의의 존재이유에 대해 깊이 성찰하도록 만들고 있다. 또한 이 병으로 인해 인류는 그동안 당연하게 여겨왔던 것들의 소중함을 다시금 떠올리게 하고 있다. <요약 번역 송재걸 기자>

다음은 원문.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND INDIA

Pramod Mathur
India Spotfilm CEO

An Extraordinary Virtual G20 Leaders’ Summit was convened yesterday on 26 March 2020. The aim was to discuss challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and forge a coordinated global response. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi had a telephonic conversation with the Chair, The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia on this subject.

The extraordinary G20 Summit was a culmination of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting and G20 Sherpas Meeting on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged the G-20 group of developed and developing countries to rework the definition of globalization. He emphasised to focus on the collective interests of all people rather than balance the competing individual interests of a few.

The recommendations made by Modi included “putting the human being rather than economic targets at the centre of our visions of global prosperity and cooperation”.

At the meeting, G20 Leaders agreed to take all necessary measures to contain the pandemic and protect people. They also supported strengthening of the WHO’s mandate in the fight against pandemics, including medical delivery systems.

Leaders also committed to use all available policy tools to minimize the economic and social cost of the pandemic. With a pledge to restore global growth, market stability and strengthening resilience. Towards this, G20 countries will inject over 5 trillion USD into the global economy. Leaders also agreed to contribute to the WHO led COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund on a voluntary basis.

As I write this piece, in India, total Coronavirus COVID-19 active cases have crossed the 640-mark and the death toll is at 17 on Friday, March 23. In Delhi, 800 people have been quarantined due to one case alone.

With an aim to help mitigate the needs of poor people, the central government has announced Rs 1.70 lakh crore financial package. The maximum number of coronavirus positive cases have been reported from Kerala and Maharashtra. Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh have over 30 cases.

Compared to the global figures, these statistics are considered negligible in view of the density and size of population in India.

The responsibilities of the heads of state across the world have mounted. Most world leaders are struggling to find ways to stop the spread by advising people to keep indoors and maintain a safe distance from others. The medical facilities are stretched to the limits.

Prime Minister of India has already addressed the nation twice in two weeks. India has been put under complete lockdown for 21 days to limit and control community spread. The Modi government has also allayed fears saying that there was no “hard evidence” to state that stage-3 of Coronavirus has begun in India yet.

Coming to think of this whole Corona pandemic across almost all societies and cultures, I think, it is hitting at the very roots of consumerism, materialism and capitalism.

However much disposable income we may have, whichever expensive apartment or car we may possess, it is all redundant for the moment. Corona Virus pandemic has become an equaliser of all humans across the world.

The pandemic is forcing humans to closely and quietly glance at the relationships that one took for granted…children, parents, grandparents, spouses and dear friends & relatives.

It is forcing humans to revert to a normal family life…be loving, compassionate and caring. Shun hatred, deceit, envy and jealousy.

For a long time, this is the lesson we humans needed to learn… to be by ourselves.

Let us step back, contemplate and learn what TIME is trying to teach us. Slow Down and get over with the Busy-ness.