Anurag Kumar
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday that the G20 member states have adopted a consensus leaders’ declaration for their summit, following protracted negotiations on the outcome document that had been held up by a reference to the Ukraine crisis.
“Friends, we just received excellent news. “There is consensus on the New Delhi G20 Summit Leaders Declaration thanks to the hard work of our teams and your cooperation,” Modi said in a brief televised statement during the second session of the summit, speaking in Hindi.
After proposing the adoption of the leaders’ declaration, Modi stated, “I announce that this declaration has been adopted.” He then struck the gavel three times and tapped the desk as other G20 leaders applauded enthusiastically.
Modi added, “On this occasion, I extend my sincere gratitude to the ministers, sherpas, and all officials who worked tirelessly to make this possible; they deserve praise.”
Speaking at the Session-2 on 'One Family' during the G20 Summit in Delhi. https://t.co/tj1jrzelBA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
There were no details immediately available regarding how the G20 states reached consensus on the leaders’ declaration, particularly the contentious paragraph referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. During India’s presidency, the issue delayed joint statements at every ministerial meeting hosted by India.
Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that @PMOIndia @narendramodi’s emphasis on human-centric globalization and our #GlobalSouth concerns have found resonance and recognition. Thanking each G20 member for their support and cooperation.”
The development occurred hours after the Indian side disseminated a revised draft of the leaders’ declaration to the G20 states in an effort to break the impasse on the issue.
Today at the #G20 Leaders’ Summit #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration is officially adopted. @PMOIndia @narendramodi’s emphasis on human-centric globalisation and our concerns of #GlobalSouth have found resonance and recognition. Thanking all G20 members for their cooperation and…
— Nirmala Sitharaman (Modi Ka Parivar) (@nsitharaman) September 9, 2023
The paragraph on the “geopolitical situation” or the Ukraine crisis was left vacant in a draft of the declaration prepared on Friday that was approved by the majority of G20 states, according to individuals from a G20 member state and a G7 member state.
The G20 states’ negotiators reached an agreement on 75 other paragraphs of the draft, including financing for climate transition, reform of multilateral development institutions, and cryptocurrency regulation.
“On Saturday morning, the Indian side circulated the proposed paragraph on the Ukraine issue to the other G20 members. It is currently under consideration by the other states. Some countries have no objections to the language,” a representative of a G7 nation had previously stated on the condition of confidentiality.
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Despite multiple sessions on Thursday and Friday, the sherpas, or personal representatives of G20 leaders, were unable to reach an agreement on the paragraph regarding Ukraine. On September 6, following the conclusion of the fourth and final sherpas’ meeting in Manesar, these sessions were conducted.
People characterized all discussions regarding the Ukraine crisis as “difficult” and noted that it had remained the primary obstacle to consensus for days.
