G20

While China stated that the G20 FMCBG meeting was not the right forum to discuss geopolitical issues, Russia dissociated itself from the status of the document. The outcome document deplored "in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine and demands its complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine.

Antonio Guterres referred to the recent international initiatives on dealing with the crisis and said, “The upcoming G20 Summit is an opportunity to take these ideas forward." The summit in September in New Delhi, the G20, which is made up of industrialised and major emerging economies will be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The meet is being held in Srinagar amid tight security arrangements. On reaching Srinagar, a traditional welcome was accorded to the delegates. The delegates drove to the Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre on the banks of the Dal lake where the meeting is being held.

Intelligence agencies show that China too has supported Pakistan in creating a negative sentiment against the G20 meetings. Beijing decided to boycott the Y20 meeting held in the union territory of Ladakh on April 26. However, with 170 dignitaries, including 100 foreign delegates and photographs swamping social media, the Ladakh Y20 meeting has been a roaring success for India.

As per reports, the Kremlin is working to clear Putin's schedule to make it possible for the Russian President to participate after he had to skip the last two summits. Reports said that even as the Kremlin is currently considering this, no decision has been taken in this regard. No official confirmation has been issued in this regard, even though India has formally invited Putin and the Kremlin has accepted it.

Talking to media persons, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price stated that India has tremendous leverage in different areas, including economic, diplomatic, political, and moral leverage. He also referred to the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi being unable to come out with a joint communique due to the increasing rift between the US-led Western powers and Russia over the Ukraine conflict despite consistent efforts by host India to bridge the differences.

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang and his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar met on Thursday on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers conclave in New Delhi to discuss the over 34-month-long border row in eastern Ladakh.  India has maintained that its ties with China cannot be normal unless there is peace in the border areas.

The Russian foreign ministry praised the "constructive role" of the Indian presidency and its efforts to have a "fair consideration of interests and positions of all countries." It said that the balanced approaches formulated in this context create a good foundation for responding to modern challenges in the area of global finance and related sectors, including support for economic growth and implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking on Thursday at a roundtable here on Gandhian Trusteeship, she said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would carry this through during India's Presidency of the G20, the group of the major industrialised and emerging economies. She said that according to him India will be the voice of the developing South "whose voices are frequently ignored" and share "India's experiences, lessons learned and growth models during our G20 Presidency".

The two exchanged views on G20 Finance Track priorities under G20 India's presidency in 2023. They leaders discussed their perspectives on strengthening multilateral development banks, global debt vulnerabilities, crypto assets and health, besides the Just Energy Transition Partnership and possible takeaways for the two sides. Sitharaman and Yellen further agreed that lessons.