‘HISTORY HAS BEEN CREATED'

NT Bureau, Agencies

New Delhi: India on Saturday pulled off a big diplomatic win after the G20 summit adopted a consensus declaration overcoming major differences on the Russia-Ukraine war, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for ending "global trust deficit".

"History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation," Modi said later on X.

Asserting that "today's era must not be of war", the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders' Declaration under India's presidency called on all States to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty and pitched for initiatives for "comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine".

"The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible."

The announcement about a consensus on the 37-page declaration and its subsequent adoption was made by Prime Minister Modi at the start of the second session on the opening day of the two-day summit of the grouping of major developed and developing countries.

It came hours after India circulated a new text to the members countries to describe the Ukraine conflict.

"Friends, we have just got good news, with the hard work of our teams, and with the cooperation of you all, there is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders' Declaration," Modi said.

"I announce that this declaration is adopted," he said, and banged the gavel thrice.

The G20 leaders also called for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth as an answer to the uneven recovery the world has seen from the pandemic-infused plunder, and flagged the need for trillions of dollars for countries to meet their climate goals and clean energy technologies.

On other issues, the G20 grouping strongly deplored all acts of religious hatred against persons, religious symbols and holy books. They emphasised the freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Modi urged world leaders to turn the "global trust deficit" into trust and confidence and announced that the African Union has been granted permanent membership of the grouping.

"It is time for all of us to walk together for global good," Modi said while addressing the 'One Earth' session of the 18th G20 summit and the first to be hosted by India. 

Other key highlights

• African Union admitted as a permanent G20 member
• PM Modi and Sunak discussed progress of India-UK FTA negotiations, and hoped to iron out differences at the earliest
• Summit going well: Biden on Xi's absence
• Post-Covid global reconstruction unique opportunity to create sustainable societies: South African president
• India proposed to launch a G20 Satellite Mission for Environment and Climate Observation
• G20 leaders stressed well-calibrated fiscal, structural policies to promote growth, reduce inequalities

G20 summit statement avoids condemning Russia for Ukraine war

The Group of 20 nations adopted a consensus declaration on the opening day of a summit on Saturday that avoided condemnation of Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states to refrain from the use of force to seize territory.

The consensus came as a surprise as the group is deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations earlier pushing for strong condemnation of Russia in the Leaders’ Declaration, while other countries demanded a focus on broader economic issues.

“We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability,” the declaration said.

"Ukraine is grateful to the partners who tried to include strong wording in the text. At the same time, in terms of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the Group of 20 has nothing to be proud of," said Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesman at the Ukrainian foreign affairs ministry. 

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor announced

India, the European Union and six other countries on Saturday announced a Memorandum of Understanding to develop an “India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor”.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India, the European Union, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, F