India will host the G20 Summit on September 9-10, 2023[1]. On the subject, Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he will not attend[2] the G20 Summit in New Delhi and that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov[3] will attend the summit on his behalf. India stated that during this meeting, the two leaders also discussed “many regional and global issues of mutual concern.”[4] In this regard, the Russian Government said that Putin would not attend the summit because he had a “heavy schedule.”[5]
The G20 includes the 19 wealthiest countries in the world, as well as the European Union (EU). India holds the G20 rotating presidency this year.[6] It is expected that Russia’s war in Ukraine will also be discussed at the summit in New Delhi, which will be attended by world leaders, including United States (US) President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.[7]
To remind, Putin was also connected to the BRICS Summit held in Johannesburg via video conference to eliminate the risk of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).[8] As a matter of fact, in March 2023, the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin, whom he accused of committing war crimes in Ukraine.[9]
In a statement on August 28, 2023, India stated that they “understand Russia’s decision” and thanked Putin for supporting New Delhi’s initiatives while maintaining the G20 presidency.[10] In Moscow’s statement, it was emphasized that the two countries agreed to “cooperate closely in the context of Russia’s BRICS presidency,” which will begin on January 1 next year.[11] It was also stated that the current problems of Russia-India relations, which are developing gradually in the spirit of a unique privileged strategic partnership, were also touched upon during the meeting.[12]
Since the start of the war in Ukraine, India has maintained close ties with Russia and the United States. On the other hand, New Delhi has not participated in Western-led sanctions and has avoided many United Nations (UN) resolutions condemning the war. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine emerged as one of the most significant points of disagreement during India’s one-year G20 presidency. Western country leaders, including US President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, are expected to demand the strongest condemnation of Putin’s actions in Ukraine.
Trudeau said that he was “disappointed” because India did not send the “invitation to join the G20” to the President of Ukraine, Vladimir Zelenski, and said he would discuss the issue with the host country.[13] “I am disappointed that you were not included,” Trudeau told Zelenski in a phone call on the occasion of the Eastern European country’s independence day.[14] In addition, Trudeau added, “As you know, we will raise our voices strongly on your behalf and continue to ensure that the world stands by Ukraine.”[15]
Instead of Ukraine, India invited nine non-G20 countries to the summit, including Spain, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mauritius, Egypt, the Netherlands, Oman, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).[16]
To sum up, the G20 generally consists of Western Bloc States. Therefore, the states that do not participate in the sanctions of the West in the context of the Russia-Ukraine War within the G20 will be under severe pressure.
[1] “Putin Will not Attend G20 Summit in India Next Month”, Al Jazeera, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/25/putin-will-not-attend-g20-summit-in-india-next-month, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[2] “Vladimir Putin ‘Too Busy’ to Face World Leaders at G20”, Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-g20-india-b2401155.html, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[3] “G20: Putin Tells India PM Modi He Will Not Attend Delhi Summit”, British Broadcasting News, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-66603137, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] “India’s G20 Presidency: An Opportunity to Steer the World Toward Inclusive and Sustainable Growth”, Asian Development Bank, https://www.adb.org/news/features/indias-g20-presidency-opportunity, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[7] “G20: Putin Tells India PM Modi He Will Not Attend Delhi Summit”, a.g.e., (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[8] “Why Putin Is Dialing In to the BRICS Summit Rather Than Attending in Person”, Time, https://time.com/6307033/vladimir-putin-brics-summit-icc-warrant/, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[9] “Situation in Ukraine: ICC Judges Issue Arrest Warrants Against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova”, International Criminal Court, https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[10] “G20: Putin Tells India PM Modi He Will Not Attend Delhi Summit”, op.cit., (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[11] Ibid.
[12] Ibid.
[13] “Vladimir Putin ‘Too Busy’ to Face World Leaders at G20”, Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/putin-russia-ukraine-g20-india-b2401155.html, (Date of Accession: 30.08.2023).
[14] Ibid.
[15] Ibid.
[16] Ibid.
