G20 Summit: S. Jaishankar Defends New Delhi Declaration On Russia-Ukraine Conflict With ‘Bali Was Bali, New Delhi Is Delhi’

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, discussed the New Delhi G20 Leadership Declaration, which called for peace in Ukraine. While the declaration received praise for its “100% consensus” and historic nature, it also faced criticism for not mentioning Russia and referring to the conflict as “war in Ukraine” instead of “war against Ukraine.” The New Delhi Declaration is considered a significant achievement for India’s G20 presidency, emphasizing consensus amid rising tensions over the Ukraine conflict.

Jaishankar noted that the G20 is not a platform for resolving geopolitical and security issues, but leaders recognized their significant impact on the global economy. The declaration addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine and its consequences, particularly for developing nations recovering from the pandemic and economic disruptions.

Regarding the change in language compared to the previous Bali Declaration, Jaishankar explained that the New Delhi Declaration responds to the current situation, and one shouldn’t view it theologically. He emphasized that many developments had occurred since the Bali Declaration.

The G20 Bali Leaders’ Declaration from the previous year condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and expressed strong opposition to the war. Jaishankar mentioned that discussions on geopolitical issues related to the Ukraine conflict took up considerable time during the creation of the New Delhi Declaration.

When asked about countries that helped forge consensus on the Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar highlighted that all members contributed, with emerging markets playing a significant role. He also noted that four developing countries held consecutive G20 presidencies, promoting cooperation.

Ukraine’s foreign ministry criticized the G20’s joint declaration for not mentioning Russia and expressed disappointment, emphasizing that Ukraine is a victim of unprovoked Russian aggression. Ukraine’s participation in the G20 meeting could have provided better insight into the situation.