NEW DELHI: For the second year in succession, the G20 declaration refrained from explicitly condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine while diluting further the support for Kyiv amid pressure from the incoming Trump administration to end the war.
While G20 Delhi Declaration too was seen as soft on Russia, focused as it was more on social consequences of the war than on holding Moscow liable, it had seven paragraphs dedicated to addressing the situation as against just one specifically on Ukraine in the Rio Declaration. The western powers also agreed to omit from the Rio Declaration PM Modi’s big message to Russian President Vladimir Putin – this isn’t the era of war – that found mention in both Bali and Delhi joint statements.
Rio Declaration slams terrorism but doesn’t dwell on it at length
The Delhi declaration, which India dramatically pulled off through an eleventh-hour consensus, had a standalone paragraph that just said today’s era must not be of war. The same sentence had been used earlier in 2022 Bali declaration.
The summit took place against the backdrop of a likely escalation in the war with the US having approved use of long-range missiles by Ukraine against Russia. While seeking a comprehensive ceasefire, the Rio joint communique recalled discussions in New Delhi and highlighted human suffering and negative added impacts of the war with regard to global food and energy security, supply chains, macro-financial stability, inflation and growth. “We welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just and durable peace, upholding all purposes and principles of UN Charter for promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations,” it said.
The Delhi joint statement, which was endorsed by Russia as a more balanced outcome, had omitted the text from the previous G20 declaration referring to demand for complete and unconditional withdrawal of Russia from Ukraine. However, even without naming Russia, it said the threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible. Like Delhi, Rio did call upon all States to refrain from threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.
India’s position on issues like terrorism and money laundering was also better reflected in the Delhi Declaration that addressed the issue at length, saying that terrorism constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The Rio Declaration only said the leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.