Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the country will work to promote a "universal sense of oneness" while it leads the G20.
India formally took over the presidency - which rotates annually between members - of the Group of Twenty countries on Thursday.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo had officially handed it over to Mr Modi at the end of the G20 summit in November.
Mr Modi had said then that it was a "matter of pride" for Indians.
On Thursday, in an editorial published in major Indian newspapers, Mr Modi wrote that India's G20 agenda will be "inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented and decisive".
He also called for member countries to make India's G20 presidency one of "healing, harmony and hope". The theme of India's presidency is 'One Earth, One Family, One Future', inspired by the Sanskrit phrase 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam'.
The G20 is a group of countries which meets to discuss plans for the global economy. Between them, the 20 countries account for two-thirds of the global population, 85% of the world's economic output and 75% of world trade.
