Muraleedharan bats for Global South; urges G20 to maintain focus on development-related issues
The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration was the focus of discussion at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro from February 21-22. Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan urged the grouping to maintain its focus on development-related issues and accelerate progress on all agreed decisions.
During the meeting, Muraleedharan emphasized the importance of an “inclusive and action-oriented response to contemporary global challenges, which have a disproportionate impact on the Global South.” He also highlighted the need for a paradigm shift in the structures and working methods of key global institutions to make them more responsive to contemporary challenges.
The minister also called for enhanced financial flows to enable accelerated progress on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and climate action. He stressed the importance of an open, transparent, and outcome-oriented process of UN reforms, including the UN Security Council, and reiterated India’s support for policies that enable trade and investment to serve as an engine of growth and prosperity for all.
Meanwhile, back in India, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar pitched for UNSC reforms at the 9th Raisina Dialogue and criticized the UN’s failure to address global challenges. He stated, “If you look at the last five years, all the big issues, in a way, we have not been able to find a multilateral solution.”
During a session on ‘G20’s role in dealing with ongoing international tensions’, Muraleedharan expressed India’s support for Brazil’s G20 Presidency and highlighted the importance of the India, Brazil, South Africa (IBSA) grouping. He also shared his views on the current significance of IBSA and potential areas for future collaboration during the IBSA Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
Muraleedharan also met the Indian community in Rio and had a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Uruguay, Omar Paganini. The Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was chaired by Mauro Vieira, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Brazil, and was attended by foreign ministers and heads of delegation of G20 members and international organizations.
Overall, the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro emphasized the need for accelerated progress on development-related issues and highlighted the importance of an inclusive and action-oriented response to contemporary global challenges. Muraleedharan’s discussions focused on the need for global governance reform and the significance of IBSA in addressing ongoing international tensions.
The meeting also provided an opportunity for bilateral discussions and engagement with the Indian community in Rio, as well as highlighting India’s support for Brazil’s G20 Presidency. The discussions set the stage for future collaboration and emphasized the importance of UN reforms and enhanced financial flows to accelerate progress on sustainable development and climate action.
