Bali (Indonesia) ∙ At the G20 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi indirectly responded to the reluctance of the US and European countries to buy crude oil from Russia. He pointed out that as the fastest growing economy in the world, India’s energy security is vital. Now is not the time to embargo the energy market. In the presence of US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Modi said that India will take steps when it holds the G20 presidency to reach a consensus on such matters.
There were reports that the US and the European Union were pressuring Russia to take a tougher stance at the announcement of the G20 summit. Countries like China and Saudi Arabia are of the opinion that no tough action should be taken against Russia. Russian President Putin is not attending this conference. Russia is represented by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov accused the West of trying to ‘politicise’ the summit by demanding that the G20 declaration include an additional line condemning Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
India will continue to chair the G20 from December 1. Modi said he is confident about India taking over the presidency. “When we come together on the land of Buddha and Gandhi, we can send a strong message about world peace,” he said.
Modi-Biden talks to increase cooperation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held bilateral talks on the sidelines of the G20 summit. Both leaders said that strategic cooperation needs to be strengthened to make the relationship stronger and warmer. Both the leaders expressed their satisfaction with the recent vibrancy in the bilateral relations. Modi also held informal talks with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
English Summary: Prime Minister Narendra Modi speech in G20 summit