According to a European Union official familiar with the negotiations, although the New Delhi declaration adopted by G20 leaders was “cumbersome,” it was in line with our discussions. The EU was “satisfied with the text,” the official stated.
The official praised the Indian leadership for its “wonderful job” and added that the New Delhi declaration was a “stepping stone” to bringing peace in Ukraine.
The declaration document which stated G20 countries will “unite” for a “just, and durable peace” in Ukraine will be helpful going ahead, the official added.
The New Delhi declaration adopted on Saturday, read, “We will unite in our endeavour to address the adverse impact of the war on the global economy and welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine that will uphold all the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter for the promotion of peaceful, friendly, and good neighbourly relations among nations in the spirit of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.”
The official hopes that Brazil, which will take over from India as G20 president, will advance the issue. The EU official lamented that Russia did not continue to take the lead in the Black Sea grain agreement. The official continued, “We haven’t heard anything from Russia.” Moscow recently terminated the grain agreement that had allowed Ukraine to export grain from its Black Sea ports a year ago to help ease a global food crisis despite the ongoing war, claiming that the conditions for the extension had been disregarded.
The ambitious India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor was also discussed by the EU official. He stated that the deal’s preparation had been ongoing for some time and predicted that the future would be intriguing. He continued by stating that the corridor connecting Europe and Asia is “historically significant.” In a fully developed post-pandemic world order, this initiative could be viewed as an alternative supply chain.