NEW DELHI. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chases away the ghost of a G20 without a joint statement. Shortly before 4pm in New Delhi, the nationalist leader announced that an agreement had been reached between the Sherpas of all the delegations and that therefore tomorrow the summit between the Greats will close with the signature of the leaders. Negotiations have been at a standstill throughout the year of India’s presidency around the conflict in Ukraine and the summit of the leaders has only partially overcome the obstacle.
The G20 effectively failed to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine after Beijing and Moscow objected to language blaming Moscow for the war. So there is only one reference “to the war in Ukraine”, a formulation that has never been accepted by the Americans and NATO since it makes both sides appear equally complicit. In fact, however, if Modi can toast the joint statement tomorrow, for Westerners it will be a step backwards. Even compared to what happened in November at the G20 in Bali. At the time, “Russian aggression” was condemned and “the complete and unconditional withdrawal of Ukraine was called for.” The statement, however, noted that not all countries had the same opinion and noted that “the G20 is not the place to address these political situations” as it is an economic forum. A concept reiterated today too.
Ten months later, the divisions are even more bitter, despite American pressure, several countries – Brics in the lead – have not gone so far as to support the condemnation of Russia. Thus the statement is limited – explains the Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar – to “recording what was the reality in the meeting rooms”. «It is a fact – he said – that it is a polarizing topic and there are multiple views». In particular, we read that we (G20) «highlight the human suffering and the negative impact of the War in Ukraine on global food and energy security, supply chains, financial stability, inflation and growth». The declaration – which as in Bali recognizes the difference of views – still invokes, according to US language, “the request for a just and lasting peace” but does not explain the importance of Ukrainian territorial integrity as Western countries wanted. The reference is in fact a call “to all States to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty”, a reference generic enough to allow Russia – in Delhi led by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov – to see noticed also their concerns about Ukrainian incursions, with drones, within the space of the Russian Republic.
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