NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi touted his country as well-placed to bridge gaps in the Group of 20 top economies and solve global problems, but many were skeptical ahead of the weekend’s summit given grave divisions within the bloc over Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Despite doubts, he announced a unanimous final agreement a day before the G20 summit ended Sunday that included language on the European war which both Russia and China signed off on.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described the agreement as a “very strong” message. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz referred to it as a “success of Indian diplomacy,” noting that many didn’t believe it would be possible. India’s foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, stated that the declaration “responds to the situation as it stands today.”
Compared to last year’s G20 communique, the statement had softer wording and did not directly denounce Moscow. Instead, it referenced the United Nations charter, emphasizing that “all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.”
Despite differing opinions, all countries agreed on the declaration, marking a diplomatic success for India.
Amitabh Kant, India’s top G20 negotiator, expressed his satisfaction with the outcome: “This is the first declaration without a single footnote or a chair’s summary.”
Some experts interpreted the agreement as a win for Russia, while others viewed it as an achievement for the West. However, most agreed that it was a foreign policy triumph for Modi as he aims to enhance India’s influence on the global stage.
Derek Grossman, an analyst focused on the Indo-Pacific at the RAND Corporation, highlighted the significance of India’s statement: “India’s statement embodies the voice of the emerging Global South. That is a coup for New Delhi, especially within the context of strategic competition against Beijing, helping it to become the leader of this bloc.”
During the summit, Modi also announced that the group had agreed to include the African Union as a permanent member and made progress on other key issues important to the Follow Google News
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