Ukraine did not create problems; India's resounding success in G20

NEW DELHI: Joint Declaration without blaming Russia for the Ukraine invasion. Permanent membership of the African Union in recognition of developing countries. The G20 summit witnessed a grand diplomatic success for India yesterday. The summit will conclude after today's 'One Future' session of discussion.

India's efforts to avoid the mentioning of Russia's name, which is opposed by the United States, the European Union and other Western powers, in the joint declaration on its invasion of Ukraine have met with success. The declaration document conveys an anti-war message without blaming Russia, India's long-time friend. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that Indonesia, South Africa, Brazil and other countries interested in the markets of developing countries have supported India to build a consensus. The US and other NATO countries have also loosened up on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's direct interventions.

There was no consensus on the Ukraine issue at Sherpa meetings before the summit. China and Russia were creating a crisis. In this regard, a consensus was reached within hours after India distributed the revised declaration document to the member states yesterday. During the afternoon 'One Family' session, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the consensus and that the summit approved it.

The attack must stop

The joint declaration condemning the sufferings of the war, without mentioning Russia, calls for the recognition of the sovereignty of the countries, compliance with the UN Charter and cessation of aggression. The invasion also highlights the crisis and inflation created in global food and energy security and supply chains. As developing countries need the grain, fertilizers, and fuel of Ukraine and Russia, food and energy security is important.

India with the Global South

The interests of the Global South, comprising the developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, were presented to the developed countries and the 55-nation African Union was made a permanent member of the G20 due to India's efforts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi who presided over the inaugural session, announced the acceptance of membership of the African Union. Azali Assoumani, President of the African Union and President of Comoros, was invited to his seat. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar got up and fetched Azali Assoumani while PM Modi got up, hugged him and took him to his seat.

The African Union is the second regional multilateral grouping to become a member of the G20 after the European Union. This is the first time that a new member has been added to the G20 since it was formed in 1999. With this, the group will have 21 members, but the name will remain as G20 for the time being.