The Group of Twenty (G20) summit is set to take place in New Delhi, India, with leaders from major global economies coming together. However, the absence of key players and growing global tensions may make it difficult to reach consensus on important issues. The leaders of Russia and China opted not to attend, avoiding face-to-face discussions with their American and European counterparts about disputes such as the war in Ukraine. Spain’s president was unable to attend due to COVID-19, and Mexico’s president also decided to skip the summit. Despite the desire to focus on the needs of the developing world, it is impossible to separate certain issues, like food and energy security, from the Ukraine conflict.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized giving a voice to the Global South in this year’s summit. However, the preparatory meetings leading up to the event failed to produce agreements due to increasing rifts among global powers, largely attributed to differences regarding Ukraine. If the summit ends without a joint statement, it will highlight the strained relations and potentially damage India’s image as a global problem solver.
The streets of New Delhi have been cleared of traffic to welcome the participants, with fresh flowers and posters featuring slogans and Modi’s face adorning the city. Security is tight, with limited access for journalists and the public to the summit venue.
The African Union is expected to be invited as a permanent member of the G20, and major topics on the agenda include alternative fuels, resource efficiency, digital public infrastructure, and food security, all of which are critical for developing nations. The reform of development banks, such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, to make funds more accessible for lower- and middle-income countries will also be discussed. Climate action and financing are top priorities, particularly for developing and emerging markets. However, Human Rights Watch has urged leaders not to let international disunity distract them from crucial human rights issues, including sovereign debt crises, social protection programs, food security, climate change, and internet freedom.
The summit takes place amidst recent statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who declared that the landmark deal allowing Ukraine to export grain safely through the Black Sea would not be restored until Western nations meet his demands regarding Russia’s agricultural exports. Russia’s military continues its attacks on Ukraine’s ports, causing acute food insecurity for millions of people worldwide. European Council President Charles Michel described Russia’s actions as “scandalous” and emphasized their impact on South Asia. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak intends to mobilize international resources to counteract the effects on the global food supply, including hosting a global food security summit and potential alternative transportation routes.
Prior to the formal start of the summit, Modi met with U.S. President Joe Biden, and White House aide Kurt Campbell commented on the positive relationship between the two leaders. The U.S., India, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are working on a joint infrastructure deal involving ship and rail transit to connect India with the Middle East, Turkey, and beyond. This ambitious project, if finalized, could be announced during the summit.
As Biden travels to New Delhi, U.S. officials have sought to downplay the absence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the G20. Zelenskyy has actively engaged in international forums to rally allies in support of Ukraine since the beginning of the war.
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