Jaishankar Emphasizes G20's Importance in Advancing Global Agenda
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, stating that the G20's capacity to harmonize different viewpoints is crucial for advancing the global agenda. Jaishankar is in Johannesburg for a two-day visit to South Africa, where he is attending the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting.
During a session titled 'Discussion on the Global Geopolitical Situation,' Jaishankar emphasized that the G20 represents a key reflection of the world's increasing multi-polarity.
"The global geopolitical situation remains difficult by any definition. Some of it is the accumulated challenges of the Covid pandemic, conflict situations, financial pressures, food security, and climate concerns", he said .
But there are also the current anxieties about concentrated supply chains, weaponisation of trade and finance, and transparency of data flows, Jaishankar said.
"Looking ahead, differential progress on Artificial intelligence and Electric vehicles, space, drones or green hydrogen have clear geopolitical implications", he said.
G20 captures the "diversity of our interests, cultures and outlook", he said.
"For this very reason, its ability to harmonise viewpoints is key to advancing the global agenda", the minister said.
He said the 'polarisation' of recent years has created visible stress and distorted priorities.
"What we could do was, to somehow, find enough common ground to safeguard this institution. Today, the imperative is to go beyond that", Jaishankar said.
He also presented India's position on West Asia, maritime security, Ukraine conflict, Indo-Pacific and UN reforms.
He said India welcomes the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, supports humanitarian assistance, condemns terrorism, and advocates a two-state solution.
Maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon and ensuring an inclusive Syrian-led, Syrian-owned solution are important. Peace and stability in the region is vital for the entire world, he said.
Ensuring maritime security in and around this region is also essential, he said.
"Indian naval forces have contributed to that in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Restoring normal maritime commerce remains a priority", Jaishankar said.
In the Indo-Pacific, it is important that international law - especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 - is respected.
"Agreements entered into must be observed. And there must be no room for coercion", he said.
On the Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar said India has long advocated dialogue and diplomacy.
Today, the world expects that parties concerned deal with each other to end the war, he said.
On UN reforms he said, "As G20 members, we also must recognise that multilateralism itself lies deeply damaged. The UN and its Security Council is often grid-locked. Just getting it back to work is not enough; its working methods and representation must change".
More plurilateralism is required to plug global deficits, Jaishankar said.
"International cooperation itself must be less opaque or unilateral. And the global agenda cannot be narrowed down to the interests of a few", he said.
Geo-politics is a reality, as is national interest, he said.
"But the very purpose of diplomacy - and a group like G20 - is to find common ground and create the basis for collaboration", the minister said.
"We can do so best by observing international law, respecting the UN Charter and preserving institutions. Differences must not become disputes, disputes should not become conflicts, and conflicts should not lead to a bigger breakdown", he said.
As the leading platform for global economic cooperation, the G20 plays a vital role in guiding the global economy through the major challenges it faces.
The G20 members include: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union, and the European Union.