Desk:Amid controversial remarks by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the BRICS group, India has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity of the G-20. China has also agreed with India’s stance on this matter.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted the joint efforts of India and China in preserving the G-20’s unity during a time of global polarization. He made these remarks while attending the G-20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
During his bilateral meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Jaishankar stated, “In a polarized global scenario, both countries have worked hard to safeguard and protect the G-20 as an institution. This itself is a testament to the importance of international cooperation.”
South Africa is hosting the G-20 for 2025, marking the beginning of a series of events scheduled throughout the year. As a key platform for international economic cooperation, the G-20 plays a crucial role in addressing global economic challenges.
The G-20 includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, the African Union, and the European Union.
According to a statement from the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Yi emphasized that after last year’s successful meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Russia’s Kazan, exchanges at all levels between the two countries have resumed systematically.
Wang further noted that a meeting of special representatives on border issues led to a consensus on resolving disputes through appropriate means. Both he and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval have engaged in talks to maintain peace along the India-China border and stabilize bilateral relations.
“Restoring mutual trust aligns with the common expectations of both nations’ people,” Wang said.
Jaishankar acknowledged that platforms like the G-20 have enabled India and China to continue dialogues even during challenging phases in their relationship.
“Meetings like these have provided us opportunities for discussions, even during difficult times in our relations,” he stated.
He also mentioned that India’s National Security Advisor and Foreign Secretary have visited China to discuss various aspects of bilateral relations, including border stability and other key issues.
Jaishankar emphasized that both India and China are members of the G-20, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and BRICS. Wang, in his speech, referred to last year’s Modi-Xi meeting as the “most important event of the year in bilateral relations”, expressing optimism that ties between the two nations are improving further.