India Seeks Diplomatic Solutions, Supply Chain Diversification
Atlanta, Nov 1: India has called on G20 members to pursue diplomatic routes to end conflicts and to take firm action to protect food, energy and global supply chains from disruption. The appeal was made by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar after a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in the United States.
Jaishankar told Indian journalists on Saturday that India was aligning its efforts with the United States. He underlined the importance of making production networks more geographically diverse and voiced confidence that the group could reach consensus before the December summit.
India’s central message was that conflicts impose costs well beyond the countries directly involved. The Global South, or developing nations, are bearing a heavy share of these burdens. India’s agenda rested on three pillars: diplomacy, supply security and lowering dependence on any one production centre.
New Delhi is engaged with Russia, Ukraine and European nations on an ongoing basis. Its outreach seeks to restart the flow of grain through the Black Sea, protect civilian ships and the seafarers who operate them, and find ways to prevent attacks on energy infrastructure.
“To end the war, the cycle of endless wars must stop,” he said.
The Atlanta meeting, according to Jaishankar, was productive and offered space for frank exchanges. Three sessions examined geopolitics, energy and food security, and supply chains. The first pair of sessions took place on Friday, and the supply chain discussion was held on Saturday.
On geopolitics, ministers examined the global consequences of two major conflicts. India stated that military measures cannot offer a lasting fix and that negotiations and diplomacy are needed instead. “India itself is playing an active role in this direction,” he said, adding that other foreign ministers acknowledged India’s efforts during the meeting.
India holds that protracted wars should be brought to a close, as they weigh on food, energy and trade flows and hit developing countries hardest.