JOHANNESBURG, Feb 21: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the collaborative efforts of India and China to uphold the integrity of the G20 amid a “polarised” international atmosphere on Friday.
Jaishankar is currently in Johannesburg for a two-day visit to attend the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
“In a divided global context, both our countries have made significant efforts to safeguard the G20 as an institution. This underscores the critical nature of international collaboration,” he stated during his opening remarks at a bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, held on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
South Africa is set to host the G20 in 2025, and this meeting signifies the commencement of a series of discussions planned for the year.
As the primary forum for global economic cooperation, the G20 is essential in guiding the world economy through the considerable challenges it encounters.
The G20 members comprise: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union, and the European Union.
Jaishankar remarked that platforms like the G20 have afforded India and China opportunities to engage in dialogue, even during challenging phases of their bilateral relationship.
“Such events have enabled our interaction, even amid difficulties in our relations,” he reflected.
Looking back at the developments since his previous meeting with Wang in Rio de Janeiro during the G20 Summit in November 2024, Jaishankar acknowledged the ongoing diplomatic discussions.
“Our National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary have recently visited China, discussing various dimensions of our relationship, including the maintenance of peace and stability in border areas. I am pleased to engage in further discussions today,” Jaishankar noted, recalling that both nations are members of the G20, SCO, and BRICS.
“There are also regional and global issues of shared interest, where exchanging viewpoints would be mutually advantageous. I welcome the opportunity to share insights today,” he added.
During his opening remarks, Wang characterized the recent meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping as “the most significant event last year” in their bilateral relations.
“Our leaders outlined the overarching direction for enhancing this relationship, confirming that China and India, as neighboring Asian civilizations, should foster mutually beneficial cooperation, build trust, and contribute to one another’s success.
“This relationship has been on an upward trajectory, improving and evolving,” he remarked. (PTI)
