‘Imperatives of collaboration higher than compulsions of competition’: EAM Jaishankar at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
| 2025-02-22
The G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting was held in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 21, 2025.
EAM Jaishankar has highlighted anxieties about concentrated supply chains, weaponization of trade and finance, and transparency of data flows
Maintaining that the G20 must retain its leadership by accurately reflecting global challenges, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has emphasised the need to put collaboration above competition to meet key objectives.
“G20 must retain its leadership. To do that, it must be accurately reflective of global challenges in their entirety. This includes food, energy and health security, establishing digital public infrastructure, and promoting women led development. And G20 must always put the imperatives of collaboration higher than the compulsions of competition,” he said while addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday (February 21, 2025).
Speaking at the session on G20 Objectives for 2025, EAM Jaishankar expressed support for the priorities of the South African Presidency, saying they aligned with what India has advocated both nationally as well as during its own G20 Presidency. “South Africa’s endeavour to address through task forces the challenges of inclusive economic growth, food security and AI for sustainable development are commendable. In India, these domains are very much at the core of our human-centric policies,” he noted.
Here is what he said on different aspects:
- International Disaster Response: We support strong frameworks for preparedness, emergency response, recovery and reconstruction. India initiated the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure in 2019. During our G20 Presidency, we established a Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group which focused on financing. Our commitment in this domain will remain strong.
- Debt Sustainability for Low-income Nations: We support comprehensive frameworks that balance development needs with fiscal sustainability. We look forward to receiving more specifics of the South African initiative. The MDB reform roadmap whose fashioning began during India’s Presidency is also relevant in this regard.
- Financing for a Just Energy Transition: India has always believed that it must be affordable and equitable, while considering the growth imperatives and differentiated responsibilities of developing countries. Here again, the initiative of the International Solar Alliance underlines India’s commitment to global collaboration on climate action. The Global BioFuels Alliance also merits your collective coordination. Their positive results are already visible.
- Critical Minerals and Inclusive Growth: We support creating transparent and resilient supply chains, cooperation in geological exploration, sustainable mining practices and transfer of relevant technologies. We recognize that this has a special potential for growth in Africa.
EAM Jaishankar Highlights Current Anxieties
Earlier, speaking at the G-20 session on the global geopolitical situation on Thursday (February 20, 2025), EAM Jaishankar highlighted the “current anxieties” about concentrated supply chains, weaponization of trade and finance, and transparency of data flows. “Looking ahead, differential progress on AI and EV, space, drones or green hydrogen have clear geo-political implications,” he stated.
During his address, EAM Jaishankar listed India’s position on some pressing concerns which need immediate resolution:
- The Middle East: We welcome the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release, support humanitarian assistance, condemn terrorism, and advocate a two-state solution. Maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon and ensuring an inclusive Syrian-led, Syrian-owned solution are important. Peace and stability in the region is vital for the entire world.
- The Ukraine conflict: We have long advocated dialogue and diplomacy. Today, the world expects that parties concerned deal with each other to end the war. There are other conflicts too - DRC, Sudan & Sahel are such examples - that do not get the attention they deserve. This must change.
- The Indo-Pacific: It is important that international law – especially UNCLOS 1982 – is respected. Agreements entered into must be observed. And there must be no room for coercion.
Pointing out that geo-politics as well as national interest was a reality, EAM Jaishankar said the very purpose of diplomacy and a group like G-20 was to find common ground and create the basis for collaboration.
“We can do so best by observing international law, respecting the UN Charter and preserving institutions. Differences must not become disputes, disputes should not become conflicts, and conflicts should not lead to a bigger breakdown,” he remarked.
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