Russia on Sunday said the G20 (now G21) Summit under India’s presidency was a “breakthrough” conclave in many ways as its outcomes showed a path to the world to move forward on a range of challenges and demonstrated the strength and importance of the Global South.
In a press briefing here, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov thanked India saying New Delhi played an important role in “preventing the West” from taking forward their approach on many issues, including Ukraine.
The summit declaration clearly sent across a message that military conflicts in the world must be resolved according to the UN Charter and that the Western powers will not be able to press ahead with their concepts of resolution of various crises.
“It is a breakthrough summit in many ways. It provides us a way forward to move ahead in many issues,” he added.
The G20 Summit in New Delhi provided a direction towards fairness in global governance and global finance as well, Lavrov noted.
“I want to express my gratitude to India for preventing attempts to politicise the G20,” he said, adding the West will not be able to remain a “hegemony” as we see new centres of power coming up in the world.
On challenges emanating from climate change, the Russian foreign minister said the Western powers have done nothing on its promise of providing USD 100 billion annually to developing nations to deal with climate change.
Thanking India for “preventing attempts to politicise” the G20 Summit, Lavrov said, “We were able to prevent the West’s attempts to ‘Ukrainize’ the summit agenda.”
Lavrov said, “The active role of the Indian presidency has genuinely consolidated the G20 countries from the Global South for the first time in history…It is a breakthrough summit in many ways. It provides us a way forward to move ahead in many issues.”
He said, “Our BRICS partners- Brazil, India, China, and South Africa have been particularly active and thanks to these consolidated positions taken by the Global South countries to uphold and protect their legitimate interests.”
India managed to pull off a diplomatic fine balance to convince all the parties to agree to the wordings on the Ukraine conflict.
“Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety,” the text on Ukraine read.
“Today’s era must not be of war…We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability. The peaceful resolution of conflicts, and efforts to address crises as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical.”
“…We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives,” the declaration read.
Despite the sanctions against Moscow due to the Ukraine conflict and resultant payment difficulties, Lavrov also said Russian arms contracts with India remain in force.
Lavrov also said that India will offer Moscow options to invest the billions in rupees it has accumulated for exports.