We can play bridging role in conflicts: EAM at India Global Forum

“Ukraine is also having an impact on development. I do believe a country like India can play a bridging role, not alone,” he said.

India and other countries can play a “bridging role” amid all the divisions caused by the Ukraine conflict, which has also impacted development around the world, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Monday.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar during an interaction at the India Global Forum in United Arab Emirates . (ANI)

Participating in a panel discussion in Abu Dhabi for the India Global Forum, Jaishankar emphasised the role of big technology enterprises that have monetised data and questioned whether they should be allowed to have complete freedom to decide what they are doing at a time when countries are looking for trust and transparency in technology-related matters.

The Ukraine war has led to two big divides, one between the East and West and another between North and South centring around development. “Ukraine is also having an impact on development. I do believe a country like India can play a bridging role, not alone,” he said.

“I think the UAE, for example, has also been doing some of it. So would some other countries but there is today the need to bridge,” Jaishankar said.

Anwar Gargash, the senior diplomatic advisor to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) president, who also participated in the panel discussion on the theme “India-UAE: Partners for global impact”, said every country wants to see a “quick end” to the Ukraine conflict.

Jaishankar was also critical of developed countries for not meeting their commitments for climate justice, saying: “Those occupying carbon space have kept promising that they would help others and frankly, they’ve kept short-changing the world.” These countries come up with new arguments and keep “kicking the can down the road,” he added.

He said governments and multilateral development banks will have to take the lead in this field and private financing will follow.

Later, speaking over video from Delhi, Union minister for environment Bhupender Yadav said that India as a country was committed to being part of the solution to the climate change crisis with a focus on encouraging the world towards mindful consumption as opposed to mindless utilisation.

Addressing the Climate Finance and Technology Summit, the minister said India is keen to work with the UAE as the host of the COP28 summit next year and that there are great synergies to be found in the sector with India’s G20 Presidency.

Yadav made a reference to certain developed nations opening new coal mines and said it is against the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities (countries will act as per their national circumstances and capabilities). “I think the negotiations at COP27 was on the right track. I am disappointed that after so many promises the 100 billion USD commitment is not fulfilled and the technology transfer needs also remain unfulfilled,” Yadav added.