“Whenever there is a crisis, we can trust our country,” says EAM Jaishankar ahead of Varanasi G20 Meeting

Varanasi: Addressing a seminar on Indian foreign policy objectives and features, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar emphasised India’s reliability during times of crisis. He expressed confidence in the country’s ability to handle such situations effectively.

Highlighting the occasion of the Modi government’s completion of nine years, Jaishankar mentioned that the G20 conference was being held across approximately 60 cities.

When asked about India’s efforts in security, Jaishankar recounted successful rescue operations conducted by India, citing examples such as the evacuation of stranded Indians in Ukraine and the return of residents from Sudan through Operation Kaveri. He noted that around 90 flights were employed to bring back the affected citizens.

Meanwhile, several G20 delegates, including representatives from Brazil, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, and China, arrived at Varanasi Airport for their participation in the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting. Among those who arrived were Australian politician Patrick Conroy, Brazil’s Ambassador to India Mauricio Lyrio, European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, Japanese Minister Shunsuke Takei, and China’s Zhao Yifan, among others.

Under the G20 Indian Presidency, the G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled to take place in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, from June 11 to 13. EAM Jaishankar will chair the meeting. In an official release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the meeting, organised as part of India’s G20 Presidency, would include a special video address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Varanasi Development Ministers’ Meeting occurs against the backdrop of increasing developmental challenges exacerbated by the global economic slowdown, debt distress, climate change impacts, pollution, biodiversity loss, rising poverty and inequality, the cost of living crisis, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions and conflicts worldwide.