Addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting in New Delhi on Thursday, Indian PM Narendra Modi highlighted that the “architecture of global governance” created following the Second World War, which sought to avoid wars and facilitate international cooperation, is in crisis today.
To support his claim, he cited the financial crisis, climate disasters, pandemic, terrorism, and wars in the past years, all of which he said was evidence that multilateralism had failed to achieve the two aforementioned aims.
In the past, Indian officials have lauded the G20 as the primary institution of international cooperation.
Addressing the Opening Segment of G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting. @g20org https://t.co/s73ypWruBf
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 2, 2023
Impact on Developing Countries
PM Modi highlighted that the “tragic consequences” of the crumbling international order were primarily felt by developing countries, which are at risk losing the years of progress in achieving their Sustainable Development Goals. These countries are also struggling to mitigate unsustainable debt and ensure food and energy security.
Modi emphasised that developing countries were also suffering from the impact of climate change, which richer countries have caused. In keeping with India’s aim to use its presidency to advocate for the Global South’s voice, the Indian PM said that the G20’s global leadership could only be established by listening to the most affected countries.
India’s G20 Presidency has tried to give a voice to the Global South. pic.twitter.com/lDg6gjvgxX
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) March 2, 2023
Call for Consensus on Global Issues
PM Modi also acknowledged that the meeting was being conducted amid deepening global divisions and geopolitical tensions. To this end, he said that while all the G20 members have a different approach to resolving the issues, it is the responsibility of the world’s biggest economies to take into consideration other countries’ interests.
Accordingly, he called upon the members to achieve a consensus on issues of global concern, including economic resilience, transnational crime, corruption, terrorism, and food and energy security. “We should not allow issues that we cannot resolve together to come in the way of those we can,” PM Modi urged.
EAM Jaishankar, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang shake hands ahead of G20 Foreign ministers meet pic.twitter.com/7fxzBp3uTh
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) March 2, 2023
The Indian PM highlighted the impact of the pandemic and climate change on global supply chains and the world’s economy. In this regard, he said that the G20 would play a “critical role” in balancing “growth and efficiency” with resilience.
On this note, he implored the grouping to “rise above differences” and achieve an ambitious, inclusive, and action-oriented consensus.