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OP-ED NOVEMBER 25, 2022 | The Indian Eye 12

India as G-20 head and

the Ukraine war

Views and opinions from the top commentators in Indian media

ndia now holds the presidency of
the G20. On Wednesday, Prime
IMinister Narendra Modi took
that baton from the Indonesian pres-
ident, Joko Widodo, at the end of the
grouping’s summit in Bali. Over the
next year, New Delhi will be responsi-
ble for convening a series of meetings
between officials and ministers of the
G20, which, since 2008, has served as
a platform to set the global economic
agenda and, to a lesser extent, brain-
storm on key geopolitical challenges.
But with great power comes great
responsibility. As the head of the
grouping that represents the world’s
largest economies, India’s actions at
home and internationally will face
even greater scrutiny than they nor-
mally attract. At the same time, this
offers New Delhi an opportunity to
expand its diplomatic clout amid
grave international threats. In recent
days, speculation has intensified over
the role India could play as a medi-
ator between Russia and Ukraine. It
is believed to have leaned on Russia
to stick to its commitment to allowing
Ukrainian grain shipments through Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressing at the handing over the G20 Presidency to India at G20 summit in Bali on Wednesday (ANI)
the Black Sea. New Delhi has also
tried — unsuccessfully so far — to ing, once more. This will need smart, given that it is still being attacked by ter, Berlin is justifying the short-term
prod Moscow and Kyiv toward talks. quiet diplomacy, without any chest Russia. Russian troops continue to use of coal to meet the needs of its
As the G20 president, Mr Modi’s thumping. Whether India can do occupy Ukrainian territory and Mos- people. This is understandable.
words will carry extra weight over the that could define its G20 presidency. cow has self-certified the annexation Similarly, the global community
next year. -- The Editorial Board, Telegraph India of four Ukrainian regions. But given must realize that India’s continued
But as more and more major na- Ukrainian advances in recent weeks use of coal and sourcing of the most
tions — including the United States ILLUSIVE PEACE and Russia’s recent withdrawal from fungible and affordable supplies of
of America, China and Russia — in- Kherson, Kyiv’s current ground po- energy, including from Russia, are
creasingly adopt unilateral positions realistic end to the (Ukraine) sition is roughly what it was just be- actions linked to the developmental
on issues of global significance, the war is nowhere in sight. Even fore the war began. Therefore, the needs of 1.35 billion Indian people.
G20’s relevance has declined. The A the G20 leaders met, Rus- Ukrainian leadership today is in a rel- Coal is not the only polluting
as
grouping includes Western nations sia on Tuesday launched around 100 ative position of strength to begin ne- fossil fuel. Crude oil and natural
that are Ukraine’s chief financiers and missiles into Ukraine – the largest gotiations with Moscow. The US, EU, gas are also polluting, perhaps less
arms suppliers, as well as nations like such volley of strikes since the be- China and India must take the lead. so. During India’s presidency, ev-
China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, South ginning of the war – targeting energy ery effort should be made to garner
Africa and Turkey that have refused infrastructure. In fact, two of those -- Editorial, The Times of India support for the Bridgetown Initiative,
to join sanctions against Moscow. To Russian missiles may have strayed THE ENERGY ISSUE which calls for an egalitarian, acces-
be sure, the platform can continue to into Poland, killing two people and sible and affordable plan for green
serve as a mini–United Nations where highlighting the risk of escalation. ermany is reactivating some and development financing to enable
leaders can meet, greet and hold bi- Poland is a Nato member and strikes coal-fired power plants. Just developing countries to meet their
lateral talks. Mr Modi, for instance, on its territory could technically trig- G10 months ago, it appeared climate change and Sustainable De-
held conversations with Mr Widodo, ger the group’s Article 5 on collective that the German climate enthusiasts velopment Goals (SDG) targets
the US president, Joe Biden, the Brit- defense. Add to this the prospect of a were wedded to the idea of complete-
ish prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and miscalculation leading to nuclear war. ly phasing out coal by 2030 and had Every week, we look at what the top
many others. But as a nation that has This is precisely why Russia and chastised the global community for commentators in the Indian media are
strong relations with almost all other Ukraine must find their way back procrastination. Now, in the wake of talking about and bring to you a slice
members, India could help rebuild to the negotiating table. True, this energy shortages created by the war of their opinions and comments
the G20 into a fully functional group- would be a bitter pill for Ukraine in Ukraine and the approaching win-

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