(Image source from: Twitter.com/BJP4India)

During a session on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that member countries have come to a unanimous decision on the adoption of the G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration. Modi expressed his gratitude towards the ministers, sherpas, and officials who played a crucial role in achieving consensus. He acknowledged the challenges faced in reaching an agreement, particularly regarding the Ukraine war's mention in the joint declaration. In 2022, Russia and China accepted the Bali Declaration, which criticized Moscow's actions in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of upholding international law and principles outlined in the UN Charter. However, during India's presidency, Russia and China declined to endorse similar language on Ukraine. Consequently, India has been issuing an "Outcome Document and Chair's Summary" statement instead of a joint declaration at the conclusion of major G20 meetings.

If negotiations had not reached a successful outcome, it would have marked a significant departure from previous G20 Summits, as no joint declaration would have been agreed upon. European Union senior officials expressed reservations about the draft text presented by India, feeling that it did not adequately address the G7's concerns regarding Russia's involvement in the conflict in Ukraine. However, they also hinted at the possibility of adjusting the language pertaining to the war, which India might see as an opportunity. On Friday, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that discussions were still ongoing.