(New Delhi) If it were up to him, the G20 leaders’ statement on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine would have been much more impactful, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference closing the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, Trudeau also pointed out that had other leaders been given free rein, the statement would have been much weaker.
He called the G20 an “extremely disparate group”, adding that the representatives worked very hard to deliver “as strong a message as possible”.
World economic leaders have agreed on a final declaration of compromise, with softened terms to address Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The consensus statement for this year’s summit in India was released by the host country’s foreign ministry on Saturday, a day before the summit concludes.
It calls for an end to military destruction or other attacks on infrastructure, as violence affects food and energy security as well as supply chains.
“In accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, all States must refrain from using threat or force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and the sovereignty or political independence of any State. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is unacceptable,” reads the final G20 declaration.
Remarks made at last year’s G20 summit in Bali, where the leaders directly criticized Russia’s aggression in Ukraine and demanded that its troops withdraw from the territory, therefore disappeared.
Despite this, Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada will continue to support Ukraine for as long as it takes.
“Not only is Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine criminal and unacceptable and killing thousands of people, it is also creating an energy crisis and food insecurity around the world. »
Trudeau called during the talks for collective action to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin accountable and to achieve “a just and lasting peace” that begins with Moscow’s immediate withdrawal from Ukraine.
Moreover, Canada will never recognize the results of the “phony elections” organized by Russia in Ukraine, he added. “People like Putin confuse being reasonable with weakness. He is completely wrong,” he insisted.
The G20 summit also encouraged the resumption of shipments of grain, food and fertilizers from Russia and Ukraine, saying it was necessary to feed people in Africa and other parts of the world. in development.
The leaders’ communiqué also emphasized gender equality, combating terrorism and money laundering, and building digital technologies and green infrastructure.
Money for emerging nations
The G20 meeting was Mr. Trudeau’s final stop on his trip to the Indo-Pacific, where he promoted Canadian businesses and products to build ties with countries in the Association of Nations. Southeast Asia.
The Prime Minister was due to leave India on Sunday to return to Ottawa on Monday, but a mechanical problem on his plane delayed his departure until further notice.
Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, placed the central theme of this year’s G20 summit on the countries of the South, while the African Union obtained permanent member status.
Mr. Trudeau also met the President of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, on Sunday for a friendly exchange, during which he promised to support Morocco following the devastating earthquake that occurred on Friday.
The Prime Minister assured that he was determined to help the countries of the South by announcing funding of more than 137 million to help developing countries.
This sum will be dedicated to projects linked to climate change, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, to the development of agricultural value chains in Bolivia and to the development of agricultural businesses led by women in Nigeria.
Funds have also been provided to increase food security in Congo and strengthen nutrition in Burkina Faso.
Diplomatic tensions
Although Canada has a large Indian diaspora, a cloud hangs over diplomatic relations between the two countries, due to the presence of a movement in Canada determined to forge a distinct Sikh homeland in the Punjab region.
In addition, Mr. Trudeau’s national security advisor cited India as one of the main sources of foreign interference in Canada, a term that Ottawa has often reserved for authoritarian states.
Mr. Trudeau emphasized on Sunday that these two subjects were discussed during a 15-minute meeting he had with Mr. Modi.
Regarding foreign interference, Mr. Trudeau said he stressed to his counterpart the importance of respecting the rule of law, the integrity and sovereignty of democratic institutions, as well as the ability of a country’s citizens to choose their future.
“The Canadian diaspora represents a large part of our country, and they should be able to express themselves and make their choices without interference from one of the many countries that we know are involved in interference issues,” he argued.
In its own summary of the meeting between the two men, the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead focused on the fact that Mr. Modi expressed to Mr. Trudeau his concerns about “anti-Indian activities” at the Canada. According to India, “extremists” are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises and threatening the Indian community in Canada and its places of worship.
During his press conference, Mr. Trudeau reiterated that Canada will always defend freedom of expression and peaceful protests, while opposing violence and hatred.
“It is important to remember that the actions of a few individuals do not represent the entire community or Canada,” he noted.
Earlier, Mr. Modi had offered a handshake to Mr. Trudeau during a wreath-laying ceremony, but Mr. Trudeau quickly withdrew his hand. Asked about the exchange, Mr. Trudeau suggested that people could read into it whatever they want.
PHOTO SEAN KILPATRICK, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Mr. Trudeau did not attend the leaders’ dinner hosted by Mr. Modi on Saturday evening. His office would not provide an official reason.
He also did not participate in the launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance, a partnership aimed at advancing the deployment of cleaner, greener fuels around the world.
