INTRODUCTION

India had played an important role in shaping the SDGs. Unsurprisingly, therefore, the country’s national development goals are mirrored in the SDGs. As such, India has been effectively committed to achieving
the SDGs even before they were formally crystallized.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stated, “These goals reflect our evolving understanding of the social, economic and environmental linkages that define our lives.” India’s development mantra “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas” (Collective Effort, Inclusive Development) and the associated national programs closely track the SDGs.

As one of the countries that has volunteered to take part in the VNRs at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2017, India appreciates the focus on ‘Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world’. The SDGs address the root cause of poverty and are an elaborate exercise to help nations work towards a unifying agenda for development.

While targeting economic growth, infrastructure development and industrialisation, the country’s war against poverty has become fundamentally focussed on social inclusion and empowerment of the poor. Several major programmes have been implemented to address these priorities and meet the economic, social and cultural aspirations of a diverse people.

This review brings out the initial steps taken to achieve India’s development agenda and, therefore, the SDGs. Given India’s federal structure of governance, the focus has been on laying down the groundwork for common understanding and coordination and designing monitoring and reporting mechanisms. Responsibilities have been divided among various bodies that will lead the efforts of implementing ministries, departments and agencies at central and state levels. The National Institution for Transforming India (NITI Aayog), with the Prime Minister as its chairperson, is to provide the overall coordination and leadership.

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