PM Modi calls for ceasefire and diplomacy in Ukraine at G20 summit

Championing the cause of the developing countries during his address at the inaugural session of the G-20 countries in Bali, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the urgency of resolving the Ukraine crisis—a major cause of the global food and energy crisis.

“I have repeatedly said that we have to find a way to return to the path of ceasefire and diplomacy in Ukraine. Over the past century, the Second World War wreaked havoc in the world.”

PM Modi also implicitly rejected western criticism about Indian purchases of Russian energy following the Ukraine conflict.

“India’s energy-security is also important for global growth, as it is the world’s fastest growing economy. We must not promote any restrictions on the supply of energy and stability in the energy market should be ensured, “the Prime Minister said.

PM spotlighted the centrality of the G-20 in ushering the Global South’s energy transition during his address. “Time-bound and affordable finance and sustainable supply of technology to developing countries is essential for inclusive energy transition. During India’s G-20 Presidency, we will work for global consensus on all these issues.”

During his address, the Prime Minister slammed the United Nations and multilateral bodies for letting down the Global South during the Covid pandemic and the ongoing energy crisis.

“We should also not hesitate to acknowledge that multilateral institutions such as the UN have been unsuccessful on these issues,” PM Modi said, citing the developing countries’ urgent need for affordable finance to provision food, fertilizer and energy.

Calling for reforms in multilateral institutions including the UN, PM Modi asserted that “we have all failed to make suitable reforms in them (multilateral institutions). “Therefore, today the world has greater expectations from the G-20, the relevance of our group has become more significant, “ he observed. India, along with Japan, Germany, Japan and Brazil have been calling for UN reforms including their inclusion in an expanded Security Council of the world body.

He was referring to India’s Presidency of the G-20 which will begin from December this year.

The Prime Minister said that India remained committed to clean energy and environment, implying that New Delhi was not addicted to fossil fuels. “By 2030, half of our electricity will be generated from renewable sources,” he stressed.

Regarding global food security, the Prime Minister said that India was showing the way in making consumption of millets popular once again. “In India, for sustainable food security, we are promoting natural farming, and re-popularising nutritious and traditional foodgrains like millets. Millets can also solve global malnutrition and hunger.”

He also proposed enthusiastic celebrations of the International Year of Millets next year.

Also Read: PM Modi meets Biden and Macron as G 20 kicks off in Bali