The G20 Foreign Ministers meet should signal the need for unity of purpose and unity of action, said Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, on Thursday.
PM Modi said that the past few years reflected the failure of global governance which post second world was meant to prevent wars and foster international cooperation.
"The architecture of global governance created after the Second World War was to serve two functions. First to prevent wars by balancing competing interests and second to foster international cooperation on issues of common interests. The global governance has failed in both its mandates as there is financial crisis, climate change, terrorism and war,’’ PM Modi said.
I hope the meeting today will reflect this spirit of coming together, for achieving common and concrete objectives, PM Modi said adding that the voice of the Global South needs to be heard.
"No group can claim global leadership without listening to those most affected by its decisions. As you meet in the land of Gandhi and Buddha, I pray you draw inspiration from India’s civilizational ethos -to focus not on what divides us but what unites us,’’ PM Modi added.
Meanwhile, Exterrnal Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, began the meet by observing a minute of silence for those who lost their lives in Turkey and Syria due to the earthquake.
"Let us remind ourselves that this grouping bears an exceptional responsibility. We may not be of one mind, infact there are some matters of sharp differences of opinions of views, yet we must find common ground and provide direction, because that is what the world expects of us,’’ said Dr Jaishankar adding that the future of multilateralism depends on our ability to strengthen it in a changing world.
The EAM also said that though the number of members of the United Nations has quadrupled it neither reflects todays politics, nor economics, demographies and aspirations. He also spoke about reforms in the UN.
"The agenda for the meet includes challenges of food, fertilizer and fuel security,’’ Dr Jaishankar added.
India has taken development projects in 78 countries and has encouraged exchanges and capacity building.
"We must ensure demand driven and sustainable development cooperation based on country ownership and transparency. Respect for soverignity and territorial integrity,’’ Dr Jaishankar added.