G20: Attempt to isolate Russia or strategy of diplomatic pressure on India, why G7 countries including US, UK, Canada refused to join ‘Family Photo’

Foreign ministers attending the G20 meeting in Delhi did not gather for a “family photo” over the ongoing Ukraine war and sharp differences emerging between the G7 countries and Russia. Sources said the G7 leaders did not agree to share the frame with Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who is attending the conference. The G7 countries include the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan. This is the second consecutive time at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting that the traditional photo session will not be held. G7 leaders rejected a “family photo” at their 2022 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia. There was also no photo session at the Bali summit, although it was skipped by Russian President Vladimir Putin and attended by Lavrov.

Attempt to isolate Russia

A source said that the G7 countries had decided that there would be no walkout when Lavrov addressed the G20 session. His ministers would stay during those sessions but express their stance on isolating Russia by leaving “family photos”. Earlier, foreign ministers of important countries like Japan and South Korea have refused to attend the meeting citing personal reasons due to differences on the Ukraine issue.

joint statement not released

There is suspense before the conference whether a joint statement will be issued or not. The Foreign Secretary said that it is not right to make any assumptions in advance. The Russia-Ukraine conflict is expected to be discussed. Actually, the tension between Ukraine and Russia has not reduced. Its effect can be in the meeting of foreign ministers. Both sides have expressed confidence that India will play an important role in ending the war. The way America-European countries and Russia-China are face to face, there is little hope of an agreement. Its effect was visible in the meeting of G-20 Finance Ministers last week when both sides made statements against each other in gestures and no joint statement could be issued.

Foreign minister of Japan and North Korea made distance

Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi did not participate in the G20 meeting. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said that Deputy Foreign Minister Kenji Yamada will attend the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting. The reason for canceling Hayashi’s tour is being told to discuss the budget in the Parliament of Japan. Korea’s foreign minister also distanced himself from the G20 due to domestic reasons. Japan and South Korea’s foreign minister not coming to India in an important conference like G20 is being considered as a setback.