India Calls for G20 to Focus on Economic Fallout of Ukraine Crisis

India on Wednesday called for the G20 to focus on the economic fallout of the Ukraine crisis, especially food and energy security, on developing countries ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers of the group that is set to be divided over condemning Russia’s aggression. Foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra acknowledged at a media briefing that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will be an important part of discussions at the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting on Thursday, but declined to speculate whether the gathering will agree on a joint communique amid objections from China and Russia to the inclusion of any text denouncing Moscow’s actions. India has positioned itself as the voice of the Global South in the G20 process and convened a virtual summit of 125 developing states in January to gather their concerns and expectations from the G20. India has so far refrained from publicly criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and it has abstained during voting on Ukraine-related resolutions at UN bodies. Former ambassador Talmiz Ahmad said the G20 is getting bogged down in the confrontation between the US-led G7 and China and Russia. The West also has “no interest in the global economic issues raised by developing countries” and the way out for India is to focus on South-South cooperation.