India seeks G20 consensus noting Russia’s views on Ukrain

India has proposed that a G20 statement condemning the war in Ukraine also accommodate the views of Russia and China to avoid an impasse for the divided bloc, Indian officials said on Thursday (7 September).

Leaders including US President Joe Biden gather in New Delhi this weekend for a summit aimed at boosting food security, climate action and debt relief for poor nations.

But the deliberations of the world’s 20 biggest economies have been hindered by differences over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that have hardened since last year’s Bali summit.

Western countries want a strong condemnation as a condition for agreeing to a Delhi declaration. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who will attend instead of President Vladimir Putin, has said Moscow will block the final declaration if it does not reflect its stand.

India has suggested that the G20, while condemning the suffering caused by Russia’s invasion, also reflect Moscow and Beijing’s view that the forum is not the place for geopolitics.

G20 sherpas have been going back and forth over the document for four days before leaders begin deliberations on Saturday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to use India’s leadership of the G20 to showcase its emergence as a major power with an ability to forge unity on big global issues.

If the Delhi meeting fails to produce a joint statement, that would be a first in the G20’s summit history and potentially raise questions about the group’s viability.