The G20 foreign ministers' meeting, held under the presidency of India, failed to issue a joint communique due to sharp differences over the Ukraine conflict, despite the host's persistent efforts to build consensus. Instead, the meeting adopted a Chair's Summary and Outcome document.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged that there were issues related to the Ukraine conflict that could not be reconciled.
"There were issues and very frankly they were concerned with the Ukraine conflict. There were divergences. There were differences, which we could not be reconciled," Jaishankar told media persons.
He added that if there had been a perfect meeting of minds on all issues, a collective statement would have been possible. However, he noted that almost 90 percent of the Outcome Document had agreement. It was only on two paragraphs that they could not get everyone on the same page.
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"If we had a perfect meeting of minds on all issues, it would have been a collective statement. In terms of the outcome document you will see that there was almost 90 per cent agreement. Just, on two paras we were not able to get everybody on the same page - or para," he added.
The diplomats present at the meeting revealed deep divisions between the US-led West and the Russia-China combine over the Ukraine conflict. Jaishankar stated that there were "polarized views" on the issue.
The Outcome Document and Chair's Summary reflected the G20's commitment to tackling pressing global challenges, according to Jaishankar. He also emphasized that the meeting had unequivocally condemned terrorism.
Despite the inability to reach a joint communique, Jaishankar noted that there was a large number of issues where agreement had been reached. The G20 foreign ministers' meeting showcased the importance of multilateralism and diplomacy in resolving conflicts and achieving global goals.
