G20 FOREIGN MINISTER'S MEET MAY HAVE STALEMATED, BUT BRAND INDIA MARCHES ON

This is the year of India's G20 presidency, coming at a crucial time when the major world powers stand divided, split across two poles, supporting the Russia-Ukraine conflict from opposing sides.

- Col. Rajeev Agarwal (Retired)

The Ukraine war which broke out on 24th February 2022, is now into its second year with no immediate hope of a ceasefire or a peaceful solution. Amidst this, as a part of its G20 presidency, India hosted the foreign ministers of G20 counties in Delhi on 01-02 March 2023. The G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation and for shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. Accordingly, this meeting was mandated to discuss critical issues on the weakening global economy and related issues like food and energy security, climate and environment conservation, cooperation on sustainable development goals, global health etc. However, the meet was hijacked by the Ukraine war with foreign ministers aligned to opposing sides i.e. Russia and the West (led by the US and EU) trading charges and stalemating the meet. In the end, all that India could do was to issue a 'Chair Summary and Outcome Document' highlighting the divide, instead of a joint statement.