G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE: Jaishankar meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

14:59 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

S Jaishankar meets Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

A wide ranging discussion with FM Sergey Lavrov of Russia on #G20FMM sidelines.

Exchanged views on our bilateral cooperation and G20 issues. pic.twitter.com/czRgKNo00E— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 1, 2023

14:55 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

Ukraine war set to divide as India hosts G20 foreign ministers

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken was due in New Delhi on Wednesday alongside Russia's Sergei Lavrov for a G20 meeting, with Ukraine and tensions with China set to overshadow attempts by host India to forge unity among the world's top economies.

A meeting was seen as unlikely between the two men, who have not been in the same room since a G20 meeting in Bali in July when, according to Western officials, the Russian foreign minister walked out.

They last met individually in January 2022, weeks before Russia invaded Ukraine. They have spoken by phone since but about other issues and not the war. 

Lavrov arrived late Tuesday in India, according to the Russian foreign ministry. Western countries want to "take revenge for the inevitable disappearance of the levers of dominance from its hands", the ministry's English-language statement said.

"The destructive policy of the US and its allies has already put the world on the brink of a disaster, provoked a rollback in socio-economic development and seriously aggravated the situation of the poorest countries," it added. (AFP)

13:50 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

India's G20 presidency is quite exciting: UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly

India's G20 presidency is quite exciting, it has fantastic opportunities. This is a great opportunity to talk about sustainable economic agenda and green agenda: UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly pic.twitter.com/qniKCg0TJk— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2023

13:41 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting 'one of the largest gatherings' under India's Presidency

The G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting (FMM), which is scheduled to take place in physical format from March 1-2, 2023 in New Delhi under India's Presidency is "one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 Presidency."

In a special briefing by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, he said, "It is one of the largest gatherings of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 Presidency."

The venue of G20 FMM is Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center. Overall 40 delegations -- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, European Union, France, Germany, India as host, Indonesia both as immediate past president and ASEAN chair, Italy, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, UK, US (all G20 member countries) -- are expected to participate in the meeting.

Among the 9 guest countries participating at the level of FMs are Bangladesh, Egypt, Mauritius, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, Spain and the UAE.

"Besides the participation of these countries which I said comprising of over 40 delegations, this would also include 13 international organisations. Surely, this is one of the largest gatherings of the FMs hosted by any G20 Presidency that we would privilege to host," said Kwatra.

G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, under India's ongoing G20 Presidency, will be held on Thursday (March 2) but it will kick off on Wednesday night with a gala dinner.

"It will be under the chairmanship of our External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar. This would be the second ministerial meeting being held under our Presidency.

The first ministerial meeting has just concluded in Bengaluru, which was of the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors' meeting," said Kwatra.

During the Foreign Ministers' meeting on Thursday, the EAM will be chairing two sessions of the foreign ministries meeting. (ANI)

13:25 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

S Jaishankar meets Nigeria's Foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama

Good to meet FM @GeoffreyOnyeama of Nigeria this afternoon.

Underlined India’s strong commitment to the Global South and the interests of the African Union. pic.twitter.com/yAATMXXRtv— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) March 1, 2023

13:21 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

‘This isn't an era of war’, says Foreign Secretary on India's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict

India's position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is that 'This isn't an era of war'. Dialogue and diplomacy are the way forward. The agenda is for the foreign ministers to discuss in the meet: Foreign Secy pic.twitter.com/altRCB6wl1— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2023

12:33 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

Russia-Ukraine conflict expected to be point of discussion: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra

"Given developing situation of Russia-Ukraine, naturally, it'll be important point of discussion during Foreign ministers meet. Foreign ministers will be focusing on Russia-Ukraine situation, it'll be important to what they come out with, what understanding is developed," said Vinay Kwatra

12:20 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

We understand that Japanese FM isn't able to come because of his domestic compulsions: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra

"We undertsand that the Japanese Foreign Minister is not able to come because of his domestic compulsions but we are looking forward to a very active participation, active support in consultation with the Japanese delegation that is coming," said Foreign Secy Vinay Kwatra

12:07 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

S Jaishankar will chair two sessions of foreign ministers meet: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra

"It is one of the largest gathering of foreign ministers hosted by any G20 presidency. During the Foreign Ministers meeting tommorow, EAM will be chairing two session of the foreign ministries meeting," said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra

12:03 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

40 delegations expected to participate​: Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra

G20 foreign ministers meet under India's G20 presidency will be held tomorrow. This would be second ministerial meeting held under our presidency. The venue will be Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Center. 40 delegations expected to participate: Foreign Secy pic.twitter.com/dvSc6Mc5uY— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2023

11:42 (IST)

G20 Foreign Ministers Meet LIVE:

Special briefing by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra to start soon

Starting shortly!

Tune in for a special briefing by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on the #G20India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.