(Representational image) China opposes purported India plan to host certain G20 events in J&K
Photo : REUTERS
China has opposed India’s reported plan of hosting certain G20 events at locations in Jammu & Kashmir, stating that relevant sides should not “politicise the issue”.
Beijing’s position is in line with Pakistan’s as Islamabad has been trying to drum up support in sympathetic capitals against India’s plan. Pakistan has reached out to close allies in the G20.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian while responding to a question from state media on Thursday said, “We have noted relevant information.”
“China’s position on Kashmir is consistent and clear cut. It is a legacy issue between India and Pakistan. It should be properly resolved in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and bilateral agreements,” Zhao said.
He further said “relevant parties should avoid complicating the situation with the unilateral move. We need to address the disputes through dialogue and consultation and jointly uphold peace and stability. ”
India is set to convene the first G20 leaders’ summit in 2023 after it assumes presidency in December this year. Union Minister Piyush Goyal was appointed as India’s Sherpa for G20 in September 2021.
G20 is the grouping of 20 biggest world economies; which include Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Pakistan said it will boycott any such move, reacting to reports in Indian media which claimed that India is planning to host certain events in J&K. Reports said Islamabad plans to reach out to G20 members Turkey, Saudi Arabia and China to boycott the move. It is to be noted that there has been no official announcement from any ministry or agency in India regarding the planned locations of the G20 events in India.
(Bloomberg) — The U.S. backed further away from any suggestion that its officials would boycott Group of 20 meetings if their Russian counterparts attend, as the Treasury Department said Secretary Janet Yellen will participate in some sessions this week.
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Yellen will avoid some meetings of the G-20’s finance ministers in Washington, but will attend others focused on the economic fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. That includes the opening session, which will be attended by Ukraine’s finance minister, a senior Treasury official said. Speaking on a call with reporters Monday, the official said Yellen doesn’t want Russia’s participation to stop work the U.S. and its allies must do in the context of the G-20 meetings.
Another official familiar with plans for the meetings said Yellen would not take part in sessions dedicated to international financial architecture and sustainable finance, meetings she would otherwise have attended.
The G-20 meetings in Washington are expected to be a hybrid of in-person and virtual attendees. The official said Russia’s finance minister might attend virtually.
Earlier this month Yellen had said U.S. officials wouldn’t take part in some G-20 meetings this year in which Russia is allowed to take part.
“I’ve made clear to my colleagues in Indonesia that we will not be participating in a number of meetings if the Russians are there,” Yellen told lawmakers during a congressional hearing April 6. Indonesia holds the rotating presidency of the group and is a key organizer for G-20 events this year.
The Treasury clarified while Yellen was still testifying that she was referring only to G-20 finance ministers’ gatherings scheduled for this week in Washington in conjunction with the spring meetings of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank.
President Joe Biden on March 24 called on G-20 countries to expel Russia from the group. There hasn’t been an indication that such a plan has gained traction.
For their part, Yellen and her deputy secretary, Wally Adeyemo, will each participate in multiple events this week as part of, or on the sidelines of IMF-World Bank meetings.
Yellen plans to prioritize efforts to punish Russia over its invasion of Ukraine, dealing with the economic fallout from that war and with other issues including climate change.
She plans to meet Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and will hold a press conference on Thursday.
