Answer:

Introduction:

The G20, a primary economic decision-making body, has grown significantly in stature since its inception. With India emphasizing multilateral reforms during its G20 Presidency, the role of G20 in reforming global institutions like the WTO has garnered attention.

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Role of G20 in Multilateral Institutions Reforms:

• Setting Priorities: India’s emphasis on making multilateral reform one of its top presidential priorities indicates the G20’s pivotal role in driving global reforms.
• Addressing Global Issues: The primary objectives of building global consensus on development and security issues and delivering global goods underscores the G20’s role in fostering multilateralism.
• Restoring Trust in Multilateralism: In light of increasing mistrust due to deadlocks, the G20 stands as a platform that can restore faith in multilateral approaches by promoting cooperation and seeking collective solutions to global challenges.

Challenges in Establishing Reforms in Institutions like WTO:

• Entrenched Power Politics: Reforms in multilateral institutions often challenge the existing power dynamics, making significant members resistant to change.
• Zero-Sum Perspective: Dominant powers often perceive reforms as diluting their influence. Such a mindset complicates consensus building.
• Emergence of a Multiplex Global Order: The modern global scenario, characterized by multiple power centers, promotes the formation of like-minded coalitions, sidelining traditional multilateral avenues.

Ways G20 and India can Foster Multilateralism:

• Narrative Setting: The G20 can create an engagement group dedicated to emphasizing the importance of multilateral reforms, thereby shaping global discourse.
• Encourage Minilateral Groupings: G20 should promote issue-specific minilateral coalitions, especially concerning global commons governance, to prevent a more fragmented world order.
• Inclusivity: The G20 should incorporate more nations and international bodies to enhance its legitimacy. For instance, including the African Union and key UN officials can bolster its representational claim.
• Address Pressing Issues: To counter the crisis of trust, the G20 should address urgent global problems, with food, fuel, and fertilizer security serving as potential starting points.

Conclusion: 

While multilateral institutions like the WTO face significant reform challenges, the G20, with its collective might, can steer these institutions towards a more inclusive, effective, and representative future. India’s emphasis on multilateral reforms during its G20 Presidency reinforces this perspective, advocating for a more collaborative and unified global order.

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