World facing multiculturalism crisis, Indian PM addresses G20 meeting

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the world is facing "deep global divisions" and a “multilateralism crisis”.

Modi made the remarks addressing the opening meeting of the Foreign Ministers of G20 in New Delhi on March 2, Caliber.Az reports, citing ANI News.

“I welcome you to India for G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting. It signals the need for unity, a purpose and unity of action. I hope that your meeting today will reflect the spirit of coming together for achieving common and concrete objectives,” Modi said.

He also said several developing countries are "struggling with unsustainable debt" while trying to ensure food and energy security for their citizens.

"The world looks upon the G20 to ease the challenges of growth, development, economic resilience, disaster resilience, financial stability, transnational crime, corruption, terrorism, and food and energy security," Modi noted.

According to the government head, India's G20 Presidency has tried to give a voice to the Global South.

"After years of progress, we are at risk today of moving back on the Sustainable Development Goals. Many developing countries are struggling with unsustainable debt while trying to ensure food and energy security for their people. They are also the ones most affected by global warming caused by richer countries. This is why India's G20 Presidency tried to give a voice to the Global South. No group can claim global leadership without listening to those most affected by its decisions," the prime minister added.

Acknowledging that multilateralism is in a state of crisis in the world today, the Prime Minister pointed out the two main functions that were meant to be served by the architecture of global governance created after the Second World War have failed.

"The architecture of global governance, created after the Second World War, was meant to serve two functions. First, to prevent future wars by balancing competing interests. Second, to foster international cooperation on issues of common interest. The experience of the last few years - Financial crisis, climate change, pandemic, terrorism, and wars - clearly shows that global governance has failed in both its mandate," said PM Modi.