How India managed to unite G20 on Modi’s idea of peace

After four days of deadlock, India played a key role in helping forge a consensus on the draft G20 communique which is expected to reflect PM Narendra Modi's call to Russia that "this is not an era of war".

While interlocutors were squabbling over the language of the draft communique for the Bali leaders' summit, the Indian delegation worked behind the scenes to get several emerging market economies, including Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Saudi Arabia and Singapore to ensure that the group of the world's largest economies did not turn into a political battlefield with the G7 members putting the exclusive focus of the declaration on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Following intense negotiations, sources told TOI, that the preamble will now have two components, with the first focused on the geo-political situation, with the second part retaining the thrust on economic issues and the disruptions caused by the Russian war.

The sources said that the Indian delegation led by Sherpa Amitabh Kant has sought to ensure that the communique reflect the language of the UN resolution on Russia's attack on Ukraine. Besides, it will welcome the UN and Turkey brokered agreement on safe transportation of grains and fertiliser as well as the MoU between Russia and the secretariat on promoting

Sources said that Modi's message to Russian president Vladimir Putin at the SCO summit in Smarkand earlier this year is the key input of the draft communique. "Yeh yug yudh ka nahin hai (this is not the era of war)," Modi had said during his bilateral meeting, while underlying the significance of democracy, dialogue and diplomacy. The statement had found resonance across the globe with key world leaders lauding the PM's message to Putin.

Until then, India was criticised for remaining silent and was under attack for buying Russian oil, even as the West had shunned it.

The G20 leaders are, however, expected to note that Russia's invasion "is wreaking havoc for people everywhere" due to its impact on food, fuel and fertiliser prices.

Besides, several of the issues of interest to India, including on startups and LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) are expected to find a mention in the communique which will be adopted by the G20 leaders on Wednesday. Developing countries, including India, are also seeking focus on the spillover effect of the aggressive interest rate increase by the US Federal Reserve, which has resulting in massive volatility in the currency markets with funds flowing out of emerging markets.

India's role is seen to be important also in the context of its presidency of the grouping from December 1. (Courtesy Times of India)