Russian President Vladimir Putin will be taking part in a virtual G20 summit on November 22, after skipping the flagship in-person meeting in New Delhi in September. “Vladimir Putin will take part in the virtual G20 summit,” said Russia’s Vesti TV show in a social media post on Sunday, citing Putin’s schedule for the upcoming next week.
Putin did not attend the last two G20 meetings — hosted by India in September and Indonesia last year, sending foreign minister Sergei Lavrov in his place.
India on Saturday (November 18) said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a virtual summit to “take forward key, select outcomes/actions points from the New Delhi summit”.
Putin has taken few trips outside Russia since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him over the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children.
The G20 comprises 19 of the world’s largest economies plus the European Union and the African Union.
Vesti, however, did not provide details on the nature of Putin’s participation in the summit.
The G20 virtual summit will take forward key outcomes and action points firmed up at the annual conclave of the grouping in September under India’s presidency besides delving into the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ministry of external affairs said the upcoming event is also expected to push for effective implementation of decisions taken at the annual summit of the bloc in New Delhi over two months back.
Under India’s G20 presidency, the grouping managed to make significant forward movement in areas of digital public infrastructure, climate finance, clean energy and ensuring sustainable development. At the end, Prime Minister Modi announced that India will host a virtual leaders’ summit of the grouping before the end of its presidency.
In the last few years, India has positioned itself as a leading voice, flagging concerns, challenges and aspirations of the Global South or the developing nations, especially the African continent. “It may be recalled that the New Delhi G20 Summit witnessed the unanimous adoption of the G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. The virtual summit will take forward key, select outcomes/action points from the New Delhi summit as well as review developments since then,” the MEA said.
The G20 joint declaration unveiled on September 9 was seen as a significant diplomatic victory for India as it pulled off a breakthrough on the contentious Ukraine conflict amid apprehensions that the summit may not be able to release the document in view of sharp differences on the matter.
“The virtual G20 summit is also expected to push for effective implementation of various G20 decisions, including through relevant national and international platforms,” the MEA said.
India holds the G20 presidency until November 30. Brazil will hold the next presidency of the grouping. The G20 troika during the Brazilian G20 presidency in 2024 will comprise India, Brazil and South Africa.
(With agency inputs)
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