The G20 foreign ministers met in New Delhi for crucial deliberations on major global disputes in which many experts believe could be contentious amid the growing rupture, within the forum, on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Five days ago, a meeting of the Group’s finance ministers and central bank governors in India ended without a joint statement after failing to reach consensus on the ongoing conflict.

The United States and France wanted to get the participants to condemn Russia, while India felt that the G20 was not the appropriate forum to address the issue.

In his address to the foreign ministers’ meeting, Modi said the world expects the group to meet problems related to growth, development, economic resilience, disaster resilience, financial stability, transnational crime, corruption, terrorism, and food and energy security.

Modi underlined why India chose the theme of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” for its G20 Presidency, explaining that it signals the need for unity of purpose and action.

Modi stressed that India’s G20 Presidency is trying to carry out a voice to the so-called Global South, the so called developing nations, and noted that no group can claim global leadership without listening to those most harmed by its decisions.

He stressed that the G20 foreign ministers meeting is taking place at a time of deep global divisions and it is natural that the discussions will be affected by the geopolitical tensions of the moment; and added that resolutions on issues that cannot be addressed jointly should not get in the path of those that can be solved. He urged the G20 not to focus on what divides, but on what unites us all.

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