G20 statement avoids criticism of Russia and omits prime minister’s message ‘no era for war’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: For the second year in a row, the G20 statement failed to explicitly condemn Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, while support for Kiev has further weakened under pressure from the incoming Trump administration to end the war.
Although the G20’s Delhi Declaration was also seen as weak on Russia because it focused more on the social consequences of the war than on holding Moscow accountable, the Rio Declaration contained seven paragraphs devoted to addressing the situation , while only one was specifically about Ukraine. The Western powers also agreed to omit from the Rio Declaration Prime Minister Modi’s big message to Russian President Vladimir Putin – this is not the era of war. This message was mentioned in both the Bali and Delhi joint statements.
The Rio Declaration denounces terrorism, but does not discuss it in detail
The Delhi Declaration, which India dramatically brokered through an eleventh-hour consensus, contained a stand-alone paragraph stating that the current era should not be a war. The same phrase was previously used in the 2022 Bali Declaration.
The summit took place against the backdrop of a likely escalation of the war, with the US approving Ukraine’s use of long-range missiles against Russia. While pushing for a comprehensive ceasefire, the Rio Joint Communiqué recalled discussions in New Delhi and highlighted the human suffering and negative collateral consequences of the war on 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 lasting peace, upholding all the purposes and principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly and good neighborly relations,” the report said.
The Delhi joint statement, which was endorsed by Russia as a more balanced outcome, omitted text from the previous G20 statement that referred to Russia’s demand for full and unconditional withdrawal from Ukraine. But even without mentioning Russia by name, the report said the threat of nuclear weapons use is intolerable. Like Delhi, Rio called on all states to refrain from the threat or use of force in the pursuit of territorial acquisition contrary to the territorial integrity, sovereignty or political independence of any state.
India’s position on issues of terrorism and money laundering was also better reflected in the Delhi Declaration, which addressed the issue in detail and stated that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security. The Rio Declaration merely stated that leaders condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.