India PM Modi urges G20 foreign ministers to overcome differences

During a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Delhi, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a focus on the needs of developing countries, urging the group to address the challenges faced by the Global South. 

While India’s G20 presidency seeks to raise issues affecting developing countries, the Ukraine conflict continues to divide the group, as demonstrated by the failure of finance ministers to reach a consensus on a closing statement last week.

Prime Minister Modi stressed the importance of sustainable development goals and voiced concerns over the unsustainable debt, food and energy security issues faced by many developing countries.

Despite Delhi’s non-alignment policy, experts believe India will need to encourage cooperation amongst G20 members while balancing its relationship with Russia, its largest arms supplier. 

Ukraine conflict overshadows

The Indian prime minister’s efforts to address the challenges of the developing world may be overshadowed by tensions over Ukraine at the meeting, however, some members of the G20 have called for condemnation of the war. 

The meeting will also address food, energy, and fertilizer security.