India has found itself in the odd position of hosting a group of Foreign Ministers but staying away from the main party where all the action is taking place
The G20 was born out of the Asian financial crisis 25 years ago. It was upgraded to convene heads of government after a global financial and economic crisis a decade later. Today, however, the organisation that styles itself as the 'premier forum of international economic cooperation' appears to be descending into deadlock with the Foreign Ministers of Japan (currently chairing the G7) and South Korea declining to attend the Delhi meet and Russia, China and the EU publicly sticking to their differing positions on the war in Ukraine.
As leader of the G20 this year, India could watch this happen — as appears to have been the case with the Finance Ministers' gathering at Bengaluru — or strengthen the organisation. To do the latter, however, India would have to take a stance on Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. There can be no hiding behind Russia and China's argument that war and politics are not the preserve of the G20. The war in Ukraine is affecting the global economy, climate change, nuclear stability and the Charter principles of the United Nations that underpin the rule of law in international relations. The first two are central to India's agenda as chair this year; without the other two, the G20 cannot function.
