G20 Summit: India Has Done Right Thing Amid Russia-Ukraine War, Says Manmohan Singh

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh extended his support over India's biggest event G20 Summit that is going to take place on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. He said he is happy with the Centre's initiative of putting India's sovereign and economic interest amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

While expressing happiness for the central government's move over nation's economic and sovereign interest, Singh said, "India has done the right thing in putting its sovereign and economic interests first while also appealing for peace."

The former PM further said that foreign policy had become far more important to domestic politics than during his time. It was important to be restrained in using diplomacy for party politics.

"I am very glad that India's rotational chance for the Presidency of the G20 came during my lifetime and I am witness to India hosting world leaders for the G20 summit. Foreign policy has always been an important element of India's governance framework, but it is fair to say that it has become even more relevant and important to domestic politics today than earlier," Singh said in a media statement.

He further added, "While India's standing in the world should rightfully be an issue in domestic politics, it is equally important to exercise restraint in using diplomacy and foreign policy for party or personal politics."

Emphasising on the G20 Summit, Singh was quoted saying as, "When two or more powers are caught in a conflict, there is immense pressure on other nations to choose sides. I believe India has done the right thing in putting our sovereign and economic interests first while also appealing for peace. The G20 was never envisaged as the forum for settling security-related conflicts."

"It is important for the G20 to set aside security differences and keep its focus on policy coordination to tackle the challenges of climate, inequality and confidence in global trade," he said.

Reportedly, who was Prime Minister for two terms between 2004 and 2014, is among the invited guest to a G20 dinner on Saturday.

Further discussing over the absence of Chinese President Xi Jinping at the event, he said he hoped Prime Minister Narendra Modi would take all steps necessary to protect India's territorial and sovereign integrity claiming that he would not like to offer advice to the government.

"It is not right for me to offer advice to the Prime Minister on how to handle complex diplomatic matters. It is unfortunate that the Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen not to attend the G20 summit. I hope and believe the Prime Minister will take all steps necessary to protect India's territorial and sovereign integrity and defuse bilateral tensions," said the veteran Congress leader.