‘Not era of war’: Declaration by G20 echoes India’s Ukraine line
NEW DELHI: India’s assertion that this is “not an era of war” found an echo in the communiqué issued at the conclusion of the G20 Summit in Bali, with leaders of the world’s largest economies calling for upholding international law in the context of the Ukraine war and rejecting the threat of use of nuclear weapons.
The G20 Leaders Declaration, finalised amid deep divisions over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said the conflict has adversely impacted the global economy at a time when countries are grappling with “unparalleled multidimensional crises” such as the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change.
Even as G20 leaders began gathering in Bali on Monday, diplomats from several countries had suggested the divisions could hold up a joint statement. Negotiators from India, which is set to take over the G20 presidency next month, and Indonesia played a key role in helping bridge differences between Russia, which was backed by China, and the US and its partners, people familiar with the matter said.
The term “today’s era is not of war” was first used by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the margins of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Uzbekistan in September. Indian negotiators led by G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant pushed this formulation to help find common ground, while the Indian sides sought support from emerging economies within the
G20 such as Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa, the people said. “The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, efforts to address crises, as well as diplomacy and dialogue, are vital. Today’s era must not be of war,” the Leaders Declaration stated in the context of the Ukraine war.
“It is essential to uphold international law and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. This includes defending all the Purposes and Principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and adhering to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians and infrastructure in armed conflicts,” it added. While India has refrained from public criticism of the Russian invasion, it has persistently pushed for a return to dialogue and diplomacy to end the conflict while calling for respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. Modi has also called for direct talks between Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
Kant said the prime minister’s emphasis on diplomacy and dialogue was highlighted in the declaration, which was possible only because of India’s leadership of developing countries and emerging markets. “India’s suggestion that in view of deep divisions, the
Ukraine matter be settled through an inclusive paragraph paved the way for the agreed language in the declaration after five days of discussions,” he said.
He added that India also played a key role in getting important references in the declaration to issues such as sustainable development and lifestyles, additional finance by multilateral development banks for SDGS, multilateral reforms and the Pandemic Fund, to which India has made a contribution of $10 million.
However, the Leaders Declaration also reflected persisting differences between G20 members on matters such as Ukraine-related sanctions and more.