Ukraine war overshadows G20 foreign ministers meeting
US and other western states sought statement condemning Russia's war in Ukraine
Gathering of foreign ministers is marred by disagreements as Russia and China reject a joint statement that calls for end to war.
A meeting of the Group of 20 has ended without a consensus on the Ukraine war as China joined Russia in refusing to support a demand for Moscow to cease hostilities.
The two were the only countries at the gathering of G20 foreign ministers on Thursday in New Delhi not to agree on a statement demanding Russia’s “complete and unconditional withdrawal from the territory of Ukraine”.
Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar said there were “divergences” that could not be reconciled as “various parties held differing views”.
He added that members of the G20, a group of the world’s largest economies, agreed on most issues involving the concerns of less-developed nations “like strengthening multilateralism, promoting food and energy security, climate change, gender issues and counterterrorism”.
In a video address to the assembled foreign ministers, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged members not to allow current tensions to destroy agreements that might be reached on food and energy security, climate change and debt.
