NEW DELHI: India mentioned on Thursday it expects Russia to be a part of all of the processes of G20 because it assumed the presidency of the grouping in opposition to the backdrop of persisting variations amongst its members over the Ukraine warfare.

“Russia is a member of the G20 and hence we would expect them to be participating in these processes,” exterior affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi informed a weekly media briefing whereas responding to questions in regards to the divisions inside the G20 over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Bagchi famous that the G20 works on the necessary precept of consensus, and India’s efforts as president of the grouping of the world’s 20 largest economies shall be geared toward constructing consensus. This was the stance taken by India on the G20 Summit in Bali final month and this method will proceed, he mentioned.

“I would not be able to say anything further except to say that the grouping needs to speak with one voice, particularly on important issues affecting the world. We will certainly focus on issues that are affecting the developing world, the Global South, such as food, fuel and fertilisers,” he mentioned.

India, which started its year-long G20 presidency on Thursday, and Indonesia, the earlier president, performed a key function in finalising a joint communique on the Bali summit amid deep divisions between Russia and the West. German ambassador Philipp Ackermann mentioned on Wednesday that dealing with the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine shall be one of many “most difficult issues” for India’s G20 presidency.

“The decisive moment will be September [2023] when the [G20] summit comes together. But as it stands now, I think dealing with Russia will be one of the most difficult issues in this [G20] presidency,” Ackermann informed reporters.

Bagchi identified that the world order has modified and constructions and establishments of the previous want to alter to sort out up to date challenges. India’s half within the G20 displays these modifications and the world can’t work with the constructions of the previous to deal with the challenges of right now, he mentioned.

Responding to a separate query on a media report that sanctions-hit Russia has despatched India an inventory of greater than 500 merchandise it requires, together with elements for automobiles, plane and trains and uncooked supplies, Bagchi mentioned: “We have regular engagement with Russia on how to sustain and expand trade. This has been going on for many years. From time to time, both countries indicate areas of interest or priority that they may be looking at.”

He added, “I would urge that nothing more should be read into this.”

The Indian authorities has not joined the West in overtly criticising Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and it has sharply elevated purchases of Russian crude and fertilisers in current months. However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi informed Russian President Vladimir Putin at a gathering in September that right now’s period is “not of war”.