India For Peace Through UN, G20 And Other – OpEd

“This is the time for peace and brotherhood, a time to move together. This is a time for growth and well-being of all. We have to overcome the global trust crisis and move forward with human-centric thinking. We have to look at the world in the spirit of One Earth, One Family, One Future.”  — Prime Minister Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the last G20 Virtual Summit meeting of the year-long rotating Indian presidency, joining leaders across the globe in a virtual conference. India will be handing over the presidency to Brazil on December 1st. Among the major leaders, US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not participate. However, President Putin, took part in the virtual conference.

Prime Minister Modi said that there was a seven-point “convergence” among G-20 leaders about the Hamas-Israel war, including the need for a two-state solution, even as he hoped that the ongoing conflict will not escalate into a regional conflagration. The issue of Ukraine was also discussed, with Russian President Vladimir Putin urging measures to halt the “Tragedy” the Ukraine war. 

In his opening remarks   Modi said; “The situation of insecurity and instability in the West Asia region is a matter of concern for all of us. Our coming together today symbolizes that we are sensitive to all issues and stand together to resolve them. We believe that terrorism is unacceptable to all of us. The death of civilians, wherever they happen, is condemnable.” 

The Israeli government and Hamas announced on November 22, that they have reached a deal for the release of 50 hostages for 150 Palestinian prisoners, along with a humanitarian ‘Pause’ for at least four days. Welcoming the news about the hostage deal, Modi said that he hoped that all hostages were released and that there was “timely and continuous delivery of humanitarian aid”. At the conclusion of the virtual summit, Modi said that there was “Convergence” on many issues related to the conflict in West Asia and “The G20 is ready to provide all support in this.” 

Can India through UN, G20 and others Broker Peace 

“It is pertinent to note that India has been constantly calling on both Russia and Ukraine to end the war and choose dialogue and diplomacy”. Many peace lovers are wondering can India the land of Buddha and Gandhi broker peace between the conflicting sides Russia-Ukraine and now Israel and Hamas. These conflicts have unsettled the entire world economy and disturbed the global geopolitics.

Ukrainian Ambassador Igor Polikha had earlier urged the Indian Prime Minister Modi to intervene to de-escalate the Ukrainian crisis by pursuing diplomacy with President Putin and help Ukraine as India is an influential global player. Prime Minister Modi is one of the most influential leaders of the world and has a special partnership with Russia, Ukraine, Israel and as well as Palestine (India was the first to recognize Palestine). Indian Prime Minister Modi continues to speak to the Russian President to initiate diplomatic peace talks with Ukraine and end the war. Modi told Putin that “It is not an era of war.” 

Russia has always been ready to Negotiate! However, the US-NATO have not been very keen for an early dialogue with President Putin. A dialogue is the only solution to a sustainable peace for the world peace.

Indian Assets to be a Peace Initiator: 

• “One Earth-One Family-One Future,” The theme of India’s G20 meaning “The World is One Family”. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life and their interconnectedness to the planet Earth. The logo and the theme together convey a powerful message of India’s G20 Presidency, which is of striving for just and equitable growth for all in the world.
• ‘Unity in Diversity’ is one of the most powerful thoughts India has given to the world. India is a country that perfectly demonstrates Unity in Diversity and this thought need to be followed by the world for the Global peace.

Chance for Initiating Global Peace

Indian Prime Minister Modi who has talked of “The Era of No War” has good relations with the Warring nations- Russia, Ukraine, Israel and as well as Palestine. Russia-Ukraine War and Israel – Hamas war has to end at some point of time. I have a strong intuition that the combined efforts of India along with the UN, G20 and the Arab world can initiate the efforts for global peace and bring an early end to both the conflicts which have brought misery to the world and partitioned the world into groups. India can lead the way forward towards initiating considered negotiated solutions to the ongoing problems at large. In the interest of world peace, all the stakeholders and the UN should take the initiative encourage India to try and make an effort to initiate dialogues between the conflicting sides with the positive support of the UN. At the moment Modi may be the only leader acceptable to all stake holders.