Russian Prez regrets inability through phone call with PM Modi to attend G20 Summit in Delhi
Russian Prez regrets inability through phone call with PM Modi to attend G20 Summit in Delhi
Russian President Vladimir Putin through a phone with
PM Modi expressed his inability
to attend the G20 Summit in Delhi.
Touted to be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in India the Summit G20 is locked in to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. Notedly, India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia.
Notedly, the two leaders had reviewed progress on number of issues of bilateral cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual concern, including the recently concluded BRICS Summit in Johannesburg.
Nevertheless Valdimir Putin has informed that Russia would be represented by Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr. Sergey Lavrov.
While voicing an understanding for Russia’s decision, PM thanked President Putin for Russia’s consistent support to all initiatives under India’s G20 Presidency.The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
The call amidst the two top leaders were held following reports last week indicating that Russian President will not personally attend the G20 summit to be held in New Delhi in September the Kremlin announced on Friday, saying he has a “busy schedule” and the main focus is still the “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that the president has no such plans and that the format of Putin’s participation would be determined later.
Reportedly, Russia had launched a “special military operation” against Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
India has been pressing for the resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, Peskov recalled Putin at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg remotely. He was represented at the summit by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Kremlin spokesman quoted that
Valdimir Putin really has a busy schedule. And, of course, the prime focus is still the special military operation. So direct travel is not on the agenda right now.
Last year the Russian president was conspicuous of his absence in the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia in November.
President Putin decided against attending the first in-person BRICS summit after Covid-19 as the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for him in March over an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia.
Meanwhile, as per reports, South Africa is an ICC signatory and was expected to help in Putin’s arrest if he was present in the country.
News Edit K.V.Raman
