Creative formulas: On India, G20 and the Ukraine conflict

Source– The post is based on the article “Creative formulas: On India, G20 and the Ukraine conflict” published in The Hindu on 4th March 2023.

Syllabus: GS2- Global grouping

Relevance: Issues related to G20

News- Recently, two key G­20 ministerial meetings, of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) Bengaluru and Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM) in Delhi have concluded without consensus over the Ukraine war.

What were the important developments during the G20 Finance Ministers meeting and Foreign ministers meeting?

Russia and China refused to accept the language on the Ukraine war that they had agreed to just three months ago in Bali.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was constrained to issue only a Chair’s summary and outcome document, rather than a joint communique.

The government also decided to include the paragraphs that were under objection by Russia and China. They named them in the document.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also issued a Chairman’s summary and outcome documents too. For the first time, Finance Ministers meetings have not attempted to issue statements at all.

What are the opportunities provided by the Indian G20 presidency?

Mr. Jaishankar has pointed out that the bulk of the statements that pertain to the critical issues for the Global South, such as food and energy security and debt management have been ironed out.

India has opportunities for enlisting those countries in the grouping that are not part of entrenched camps of the G­7, U.S.­led developed world, and the Russia­-China combine. It will ensure that a middle path is found.

What is the way forward for India as G20 President?

There is clarity that India cannot depend on the language of the Bali Summit. Sherpas will need to iron out a new consensus language on Ukraine.

This will require creative formulas. It should take into account Russian grievances with the language, as well as the western desire to condemn Russia’s actions in the Bali document.