Tensions around the world caused by the war have led many to question the ability of the 19 member states and the European Union to reach an agreement.

But on Saturday afternoon, a smiling Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the countries had reached a consensus earlier than expected.

“Thanks to the efforts of our delegation and your cooperation, a consensus was reached on the statement of the leaders participating in the G-20 meeting in New Delhi,” Modi said. “Declaration accepted.”

Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, wanting to install a pro-Soviet regime. The United States and its allies have turned to huge sums of money to arm Ukraine and support its economy, and the war continues. President Biden, who visited Kyiv at the beginning of this year, actively spoke in his support.

At the same time, Russia became closer to China, and tensions between India and China increased. Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping did not attend the meeting, sending other officials instead.

Officials in India, which has remained neutral on the war with Ukraine because of its long ties to Russia, and elsewhere have acknowledged that the language used about Ukraine is a major stumbling block. India’s representative at the G-20 talks, Amitabh Kant, said that after “tough negotiations without governance” all countries supported the agreement “with 100% acceptance”, a diplomatic triumph for India.

On the one hand, the declaration states the following: “According to the UN Charter, all countries must refrain from threats or the use of force for demands that affect the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.”

US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan noted that the statement contains “paragraphs about the consequences” of the war in Ukraine. He added that Russia “grossly violates many of the principles specified in this document.”

There are a number of changes compared to the language used in 2022

The document no longer references the United Nations resolution, which refers to Russian aggression and calls for withdrawal from Ukraine. It also does not say whether a majority of members condemned the war.

According to the statement, the participants reiterated their country’s position and highlighted the impact of the war on food security, supply chains and inflation.

The text also reiterated that “today’s age must not be an age of war”, echoing the words Modi told Putin in a meeting held ahead of the G-20 summit in Bali last year.

A senior EU official said the EU adopted the wording on Ukraine before Russia and China signed the document.

The same official also noted that this year the priority was to find specific solutions aimed at solving the problems caused by the war, for example, the restoration of the agreement aimed at the security of grain supplies from Ukraine through the Black Sea, unlike last year. of the annual G-20 summit in Bali, when many members focused their attention on those responsible for the war in Ukraine.

“It was a tough discussion,” the official said, referring to this year’s talks

The announcement related to the communiqué was made during the first of two days of the meeting, which focused on climate change, development financing and the war in Ukraine.

Kant said India had worked “very closely” with Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia to reach a consensus on issues related to the Russia-Ukraine war.

On Saturday, the group also welcomed the admission of the African Union as a member, a move supported by both Biden and Modi, with the latter seeking to use the G-20 presidency to highlight India’s position on the world stage. Dozens of billboards dot the Indian capital to mark the summit, often some with Modi’s “emblem” on them.

Indian and US leaders used the meeting to highlight their growing ties amid concerns over China’s influence.

Another major announcement was that of Biden and his allies to form a transit corridor linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia, an approach that represents a new front for dominance in the global South, where the US is trying to counter Chinese investment. in the international infrastructure.

“This is a really big deal,” Biden said. He emphasized that the agreement will create jobs and promote trade, “laying some foundations to strengthen trade and food security for people in different countries.”

Modi said the corridor “promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation and shared progress”.

The project will connect Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and possibly Israel by rail and then by sea to India and Europe, connecting some of the world’s largest economies over a distance of more than 4,000 kilometers.

Principal Deputy National Security Adviser John Feiner called the plans “big and ambitious,” noting that the United States recognizes the importance of the ties between the three regions and that the approach is one of partnership to improve infrastructure around the world.

Sullivan said that in January, after Biden’s visit to Saudi Arabia last year, discussions began about the possibility of a corridor connecting sea routes with rail. He said negotiations were ongoing and that he had visited Saudi Arabia in May.

Under Xi Jinping’s regime, China’s infrastructure investments have raised concerns from the United States to India about its economic presence and growing influence.

The rail project comes as the U.S. is also trying to negotiate a deal with Saudi Arabia — one that would require Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, a U.S. security guarantee and civilian nuclear support.

Saudi Arabia has strengthened economic and security ties with China, leading to an agreement last year in which the kingdom restored diplomatic relations with rival Iran.

Under Modi’s leadership, India has strengthened its relations with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Following the conclusion of the G-20 summit on Sunday, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman will remain in New Delhi on a state visit on September 11.

The article was published with the support of the Rador agency