Geo-Political Situation Remains Challenging: Jaishankar Outlines India’s Global Stance at G20 Meet

Johannesburg: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on his two-day visit to South Africa, participated in the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where he laid out India's position on various critical geopolitical issues. Acknowledging the challenges, he stressed that the G20 has the ability to harmonise diverse viewpoints is essential for progressing the global agenda.

"The global geopolitical situation remains difficult by any definition," Jaishankar said on Thursday. He highlighted ongoing global concerns, including the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic, conflicts, financial pressures, food security, and climate change. Additionally, Jaishankar pointed to emerging anxieties surrounding supply chain concentration, the weaponisation of trade and finance, and data transparency.

"Some of it is the accumulated challenges of the Covid pandemic, conflict situations, financial pressures, food security and climate concerns"

Furthermore, he stressed that technological advancements like Artificial Intelligence, Electric Vehicles, space exploration, drones, and green hydrogen carry significant geopolitical implications. He emphasised that the G20 reflects the "diversity of interests, cultures, and outlooks," and its ability to align these differences is crucial for advancing global objectives.

"Looking ahead, differential progress on Artificial intelligence and Electric vehicles, space, drones or green hydrogen have clear geopolitical implications. G20 captures the "diversity of our interests, cultures and outlook."

"For this very reason, its ability to harmonise viewpoints is key to advancing the global agenda," the foreign minister highlighted.

Jaishankar also warned about the "polarisation" of recent years, which has led to stress and distorted priorities. "What we could do was, to somehow, find enough common ground to safeguard this institution. Today, the imperative is to go beyond that," he said.

The Foreign Minister presented India’s stance on several pressing global issues, including the West Asia situation, maritime security, the Ukraine conflict, the Indo-Pacific, and UN reforms.

He expressed India’s support for the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, condemned terrorism, and reiterated advocacy for a two-state solution. Jaishankar emphasised the importance of maintaining peace in Lebanon and ensuring an inclusive, Syrian-led solution to Syria’s crisis.

On maritime security, he highlighted India’s contribution to safeguarding the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Aden. "Restoring normal maritime commerce remains a priority," he added.

In the Indo-Pacific, Jaishankar underlined the importance of respecting international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. "Agreements entered into must be observed, and there must be no room for coercion," he said.

Regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing call for dialogue and diplomacy, urging all parties involved to seek a resolution.

On UN reforms, he argued that simply restoring functionality to the UN and its Security Council is not enough. "Its working methods and representation must change," he said, advocating for more plurilateralism to address global deficits. Jaishankar also stressed the need for international cooperation to be less opaque and unilateral, with the global agenda not narrowed to the interests of a few.

In conclusion, Jaishankar underscored the importance of diplomacy, stating, "Geo-politics is a reality, as is national interest. But the very purpose of diplomacy – and a group like the G20 – is to find common ground and create the basis for collaboration." He emphasized the necessity of adhering to international law, respecting the UN Charter, and preserving global institutions. "Differences must not become disputes, disputes should not become conflicts, and conflicts should not lead to a bigger breakdown," he concluded.

"But the very purpose of diplomacy - and a group like G20 - is to find common ground and create the basis for collaboration," the minister said.

"We can do so best by observing international law, respecting the UN Charter and preserving institutions. Differences must not become disputes, disputes should not become conflicts, and conflicts should not lead to a bigger breakdown."

The G20 members include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union, and the European Union.