Modi calls for peace in Ukraine at the G20 summit
Nusa Dua, Indonesia, Nov 15 (EFE).- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the G20 leaders to find a way towards a ceasefire in Ukraine at the earliest and end the war’s devastating effects for the world, especially for the underprivileged populations which cannot bear its cost.
“Global supply chains are in ruins. There is a crisis of essentials, essential goods all over the world. The challenge for the poor citizens of every country is more severe,” Modi said in his speech at the G20 summit’s session on food and energy security.
He said that even though the world had left behind the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the effects of its restrictions continued and the issues linked to the Ukraine conflict had aggravated the situation.
“Everyday life was already a struggle for them (the poor). They do not have the financial capacity to deal with the double whammy,” the prime minister said.
He said that international bodies established to help vulnerable populations, such as the United Nations, had failed to fully resolve their problems and “today the world has greater expectations from the G-20.”
“We have to find a way to return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy in Ukraine,” Modi insisted, without directly referring to Russia, and choosing to address the conflict as the “developments in Ukraine.”
The Indian leader’s neutral position and close ties with Russia despite international pressure has put India in a diverging position.
Maintaining the principle of national interest, New Delhi had been one of the first major powers to continue and even increase the purchase of Russian oil.
“We must not promote any restrictions on the supply of energy and stability in the energy market should be ensured,” Modi said on Tuesday, arguing that “India’s energy-security is also important for global growth.”
On Wednesday, India would symbolically receive the G20 presidency from Indonesian President Joko Widodo, with its term set to begin from Dec. 1.
Modi has chosen “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (one world, one family), and the message of piece propagated by Buddha and Mahatma Gandhi as the mottos for India’s presidency of the bloc.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Indian PM held brief meetings with several G20 leaders, such as US President Joe Biden, French leader Emmanuel Macron as well as an informal encounter with his British counterpart Rishi Sunak. EFE
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