'100% Consensus On All Issues': G20 Leaders Adopt Delhi Declaration

The G20 leaders have adopted the Joint Declaration at the New Delhi G20 Summit on Saturday, said PM Modi.

PM Modi at the G20 Summit on Saturday.

Despite the challenges concerning the Russia-Ukraine war, G20 leaders adopted the Joint Declaration at the New Delhi G20 Summit on Saturday. PM Narendra Modi said, " I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, a consensus has been built on the New Delhi G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration. My proposal is to adopt this leadership declaration. I announce the adoption of this declaration. On this occasion, I congratulate my Sherpa and ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible." 

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, G20 Sherpa for India Amitabh Kant said the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration focuses on "Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth; "Accelerating Progress on SDGs; Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future; Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century; and Reinvigorating Multilateralism".

In another post, Kant said that the G20 declaration was adopted with "100% consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues". "The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in today's world. Demonstrates PM Narendra Modi's leadership in today’s world," the post further read. "G20 has been the most ambitious in the history of G20 presidencies. With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than tripled the substantive work from previous presidencies," he added.

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration focuses on -

▶️Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth
▶️Accelerating Progress on #SDGs
▶️Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future
▶️Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century
▶️Reinvigorating Multilateralism#G20India

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

“With the African Union strengthening the G20 family, we will cement partnerships that prioritise all-round development, leading to a better planet,” said PM Modi while announcing the adoption of the declaration.

'Today’s Era Must Not Be Of War'

Earlier, Russia and China had said they wouldn’t agree to a joint statement if the Ukraine war is mentioned, while the EU and the G7 had said they would not support a joint communique unless its language is not a sharp criticism of Russia.

The joint declaration reads: "We note with deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world. Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly and underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety."

It adds: "In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible." 

Noting that "today’s era must not be of war", the declaration says: "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’." 

Addressing the media Saturday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said: "We have consciously sought to make this G20 as inclusive as possible. Now, the African Union has become a permanent member. This is in line with the importance we attach to the Global South. Many Global South issues were taken up during discussions among the leaders."

While noting that the G20 is not a forum to discuss geopolitical issues, he said, the leaders discussed the Ukraine war and its impact on the economic development of all countries. The minister said the leaders realised that if they didn’t take a decision on the economy it would be “disastrous”. “We were able to find a common consensus,” he said.

"This is a declaration of 83 paragraphs. Because of the ongoing conflict, considerable time was spent on geopolitical issues. Everybody came together on the consensus," Jaishankar said, added that even the youth has taken a keen interest in the G20 proceedings.

"This G20 made the world India ready and India world ready," the EAM said.