G20's dialectic deadlock: India is treading the path carefully, tactfully

Widely differing positions on Russia-Ukraine war have created a nightmare for Indian diplomats struggling to arrive at an agreeable language for the joint communique ahead of G20 leaders' summit

During a tour of the Virupaksha temple in Hampi, the guide encouraged the G20 delegates to make a wish at the sacred stone near the entrance if they were encountering obstacles during the current round of negotiations. “There are plenty (of obstacles),” Indian Sherpa Amitabh Kant retorted, prompting laughter from everyone.

As the Sherpas or chief negotiators started discussing the draft joint communiqué in Hampi, India’s G20 presidency entered its most critical phase. In early July, the first draft communiqué was circulated to members, based on which 17 hours of gruelling co-drafting sessions were conducted at the scenic world heritage