With G20 presidency, India is in a position to resolve the biggest issues, including the war in Ukraine

With India assuming the G20 presidency today, chances of resolution of global conflicts and major issues increase. Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said, “India is showing its might and transforming the world with its civilisational values.” This may be a bit over the top, but there is no denying the fact that New Delhi, with its reasonably cordial ties with the nations like Russia and Iran, is nicely placed to play the role of an honest broker in various quarrels. The war in Ukraine is perhaps the biggest crisis the world faces today, its ramifications being economic, political, military, and cultural. Russian President Vladimir Putin, like almost everyone else, was convinced that there would hardly be any war. Ukraine is too small and weak to take on the might of the Russian military whose capabilities even the American generals acknowledge. The Russian bear, so went the received wisdom, will smother whatever army Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been able to cobble together. But it increasingly became a David-versus-Goliath contest, with Putin’s forces suffering setbacks; they even had to evacuate the territories they had grabbed in the initial momentum of the offensive. At present, there is a kind of stalemate—not just military but also political. Putin may like to end the hostilities but for that he would need a face-saving armistice. The United States is unable to do that, primarily because of President Joe Biden’s ineptitude. Last year, he had called Putin a “killer,” incensing not just the Russian leader but also people.

European leaders, who have been extremely critical of Moscow because of the war it unleashed, are also not the folks Putin and his coterie would be comfortable with. Chinese President Xi Jinping too is known for belligerence rather than peace-making. In such a geopolitical milieu, India can initiate or boost proposals that could be viewed by the warring countries with an open mind. It is true that Ukraine is unhappy with India’s refusal to condemn the Russian attack, but it is equally true that the Zelenskyy Government doesn’t hold that grudge too strongly. Besides, Kiev couldn’t be unaware of the fact that India has been following the policy of non-alignment for decades. At any rate, New Delhi’s refusal to take sides also means that Moscow would be more inclined to listen to the ceasefire plan the former proposes. Three other things will also help India exercise authority. First, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has never badmouthed other leaders and countries; even during the crises of Balakot and Galwan, he did not use rough language. Secondly, he has experience in improving relations between countries. It is primarily because of his interventions that today we have excellent relations with Arab nations, despite the misdeeds of some saffron zealots. And, finally, in general India and Indians have a good image all over the world. All these factors are likely to help Modi have a successful G20 presidency.