G-20 Communique

The G20 Bali Declaration was finally adopted by consensus even though it failed to gloss over serious differences over Ukraine.

Key highlights –

• On the Russia-Ukraine —
  • The declaration acknowledged differences among members on the Russia-Ukraine war but stressed that it was essential to adhere to international law, including protection of civilians caught in conflicts.
    • Most members strongly condemned the war in Ukraine, but the declaration noted that there were other views and assessments of the situation.
  • It also said that the threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.
• Welcomed the Turkey and UN-brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative — that secured a Russia Guarantee to allow the export of Ukrainian grain.
• Other issues covered — The declaration covered a range of issues, from climate change to corruption, and from Covid vaccination to imparting computer skills to women.
• The declaration recognised that G20 is not the forum to resolve security issues — However, it agreed that security issues can have significant consequences for the global economy.

How did India emerge as a consensus builder?

• Declaration Strengthened India’s position on the following since the beginning of the war —
  • • respect for UN charter,
    • advocating diplomacy and dialogue,
    • need for peace and stability,
    • against the use and threat of use of nuclear weapons.
• Declaration echoed PM Modi’s remark —
  • • The declaration proclaimed “today’s era must not be of war”, echoing PM Modi’s remarks before President Putin on the sidelines of the SCO summit in September.
    • It strongly endorsed PM Modi’s emphasis on three key points: threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible, diplomacy and dialogue and today’s era must not be of war.
• India acted as consensus builder —
  • • India has emerged as a leader, solution provider and consensus builder through its positive and constructive approach in framing the G20 communique.
      • India played a key and critical role in bringing consensus amongst countries after all meetings round the year failed and there was total deadlock.
      • India worked in partnership with all developing countries and emerging markets to draft the final statement and the preamble to the statement.
    • India made sure that the country’s viewpoints are prominently reflected in the statement.
• India also managed to get important references in the communique on —
  • • sustainable development and lifestyles,
    • new quantified goals for climate finance post 2025,
    • additional finance by multilateral development banks for sustainable development goals (SDGs),
    • multilateral reforms aimed at implementing the 2030 agenda,
    • seamless and interoperable international travel.