Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Thursday spoke at the Raisina Dialogue, emphasizing the importance of not letting geographical distance from the Ukraine conflict overshadow its global significance. Meloni praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of the G20 presidency and reiterated Italy's full support, reported news agency PTI. She stressed that regional problems can rapidly escalate into global issues in today's interconnected world, and unfortunately, "Europe's problem" has become the "world's problem."
Meloni spoke about the need for the rule of law, noting that only it can allow humanity to prosper and develop in balance and harmony. She acknowledged that this is a "period of unprecedented turbulence and the world need to stand tall in the face of challenges, much like a lighthouse guiding a ship in a tempest". She then spoke about the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, saying: ""The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine disrupted global energy prices, brought danger to food security and sent waves of inflation across the world to the detriment of the most vulnerable, especially the Global South."
"Russian attack is not simply an act of war or a localised conflict. It is an attack on territorial integrity of a sovereign nation in violation of the fundamental principles of the global order that enables the international community thrive," she was quoted as saying by PTI.
Meloni further stated that the world cannot allow the foundations of international law to be threatened, "or else only military force would be taken into account, and every state in the world would risk being invaded by its neighbours". She emphasised that these are not just the interests of European countries but the common good for the coexistence of all countries in the world. "We cannot sit idly in the face of this provocation, which threatens to undermine global stability, and we cannot allow the law of the strongest to overcome the strength of law," she said.
"We cannot sit idly in the face of this provocation at the heart of the UN charter which threatens to undermine the stability across the globe. We cannot allow the law of the strongest to overcome the strength of law," she asserted.
Meloni praised India's leadership in the G20 and Raisina Dialogue, stating that together, the G20 nations can send a message of cooperation and peace to the world. She stressed that global coordination on climate change should not be a zero-sum game, and Indo-Pacific countries, led by India, have a crucial role to play in this regard. She noted that India is a key player in the Indo-Pacific, while Italy is a key stakeholder in the Mediterranean region.
Meloni also highlighted the need to face terrorism together as a wide coalition of international countries. Earlier that day, Prime Minister Modi held talks with Meloni, and they agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, opening a new chapter on defence cooperation.
India has, so far, abstained from UN resolutions on Ukraine and consistently emphasised the need to respect the UN Charter, international laws, and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. India has also stressed that the entire Global South has suffered "substantial collateral damage" in the conflict, and developing countries are bearing the brunt of its consequences on food, fuel, and fertilizer supplies.
(With inputs from PTI.)