NEW DELHI: G20 Foreign Ministers meeting formally kicked off with “gala dinner” hosted by Foreign Minister S Jaishankarahead of Thursday’s meetings which will be attended by 40 delegations, including those from member states. While the G7 and the EU will try to corner Russia, which has threatened to speak “openly” about the reasons for the conflict, India will try to keep attention on the economic impact of the conflict, particularly on the world developing.
Wednesday’s dinner was marked by the absence of foreign ministers from key G7 countries, which have spearheaded the international response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, such as the United States, France, Germany and Japan. However, the dinner was attended by British foreign secretary James Cleverly and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken only landed in India late Wednesday evening. Her French and German counterparts, Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock respectively, would only arrive on Thursday. Chinese foreign minister Qin band arrived late on wednesday evening. Diplomatic sources were in awe that the arrival of the US, Germany and France was deliberately timed to avoid any face-to-face with Lavrov that he himself, according to one source, only witnessed the event in passing.
While Russia has threatened to expose the West, the EU also appears to have strengthened its stance on the conflict ahead of Thursday’s meetings. Borrell told reporters on Wednesday that “this war must be condemned” and expressed hope that India’s “diplomatic ability” would be used to signal to Russia that the war must end. Baerbock also said before his departure for India that he will try to counter Russian “propaganda” at the meeting.
Asked about the possibility of a joint statement after the meeting, Foreign Minister Vinai Kwatra he stated that it would not be fair to prejudge the outcome of the meeting.
“For us, the issues related to food, energy and fertilizer security, the impact that the conflict has on these economic challenges we face, the models of development cooperation we want to talk about, new and emerging threats, the problem of anti-terrorism, anti-drugs, the issues that we face on the reform of multilateralism, each of them is a very, very significant and substantial issue, absolutely crucial for the South of the world,” said the foreign minister.
Kwatra said that while the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be a major issue in G20 meetings, it is equally important to focus on the aftermath of the conflict.
“Clearly, the foreign ministers will also focus on the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine, but what do they come out of it and more importantly… when they meet tomorrow and discuss it, what is the understanding they develop not only on the conflict but also on the impact of that conflict on the rest of the world, especially the economic impact, especially the development impact, the challenges developing countries face, because of that conflict,” he said Kwatra. One of Thursday’s sessions will focus on new and emerging threats, including counter-terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking.
Wednesday’s dinner was marked by the absence of foreign ministers from key G7 countries, which have spearheaded the international response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, such as the United States, France, Germany and Japan. However, the dinner was attended by British foreign secretary James Cleverly and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken only landed in India late Wednesday evening. Her French and German counterparts, Catherine Colonna and Annalena Baerbock respectively, would only arrive on Thursday. Chinese foreign minister Qin band arrived late on wednesday evening. Diplomatic sources were in awe that the arrival of the US, Germany and France was deliberately timed to avoid any face-to-face with Lavrov that he himself, according to one source, only witnessed the event in passing.
While Russia has threatened to expose the West, the EU also appears to have strengthened its stance on the conflict ahead of Thursday’s meetings. Borrell told reporters on Wednesday that “this war must be condemned” and expressed hope that India’s “diplomatic ability” would be used to signal to Russia that the war must end. Baerbock also said before his departure for India that he will try to counter Russian “propaganda” at the meeting.
Asked about the possibility of a joint statement after the meeting, Foreign Minister Vinai Kwatra he stated that it would not be fair to prejudge the outcome of the meeting.
“For us, the issues related to food, energy and fertilizer security, the impact that the conflict has on these economic challenges we face, the models of development cooperation we want to talk about, new and emerging threats, the problem of anti-terrorism, anti-drugs, the issues that we face on the reform of multilateralism, each of them is a very, very significant and substantial issue, absolutely crucial for the South of the world,” said the foreign minister.
Kwatra said that while the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be a major issue in G20 meetings, it is equally important to focus on the aftermath of the conflict.
“Clearly, the foreign ministers will also focus on the ongoing situation between Russia and Ukraine, but what do they come out of it and more importantly… when they meet tomorrow and discuss it, what is the understanding they develop not only on the conflict but also on the impact of that conflict on the rest of the world, especially the economic impact, especially the development impact, the challenges developing countries face, because of that conflict,” he said Kwatra. One of Thursday’s sessions will focus on new and emerging threats, including counter-terrorism and the fight against drug trafficking.
