Just hours before Secretary of State Antony Blinken reached New Delhi for a meeting of G20 foreign ministers, the US sought to draw a sharp contrast between its own goals for this group of the world's most industrialised nations and Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine.
The US will engage with G20 members and other international partners to address the humanitarian crisis emanating from the "full-scale" Russian invasion of Ukraine and will call upon the G20 countries to hold Russia accountable for resisting UN efforts to reopen sea-routes to allow movement of grain shipments.
"In contrast to Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, which continues to exacerbate global food, energy and economic insecurity, the US, together with our partners, is taking concrete actions to build more stable, prosperous and climate-resilient economies worldwide," the State Department said in a fact-sheet laying out and reiterating American priorities for the group and the upcoming meeting.
Blinken reached New Delhi later on Wednesday. He is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on the sidelines of the group meeting, and other counterparts, the State Department added.
"The US will continue to engage with G-20 and other international partners to address the immense humanitarian challenges stemming from Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, especially the damaging effect the Kremlin's war of aggression has had on global food and energy security," the US said.
"The G20 must hold Russia accountable now for its failure to respond to UN efforts to reopen the sea lanes for grain delivery."
Sensitive to host India's desire to keep the focus of the meeting on economic issues, including the fallout of the Ukraine war and not let the war take precedence as it did for much of Indonesia's presidency of the group in 2022, the State Department, said, "The US strongly supports India's G20 priorities to provide action-oriented solutions to global challenges, including strengthening food, health, energy and women's security, countering terrorism and counternarcotics, and deepening cooperation on renewable energy and sustainable development."
Reinforcing its commitment to pursuing these same goals through multilateralism, the US said it has been "at the forefront" of dealing with the present global shortages.
"We have dedicated $13.5 billion in US humanitarian and food security assistance since February 2022," it said, adding, "The US is increasing agricultural capacity and resilience with programmes that work with families to protect food security and livelihoods and ensuring basic prerequisites for improved agricultural production such as good soil and crop varieties adapted to climate change are in place."
Tripura CM Saha holds key meeting with BJP, IPFT and TMP leaders
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday held an "important" meeting between the leaders of ruling BJP and its two allies – Tipra Motha Party (TMP) and Indigenous People's Front of Tripura (IPFT) and discussed various political and developmental issue, sources said.
HM Amit Shah's meeting sends a clear message: Not a drop of water to Pakistan
A high-level meeting was held on Friday at the residence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty. The 45-minute meeting between the Home Minister and Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil focused on exploring ways to halt the flow of water to Pakistan.
Tripura: TMP chief urges Centre to adopt 'stronger policy' against B'desh
Ruling BJP’s ally Tipra Motha Party (TMP) founder-chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Friday urged the Central government to adopt a stronger policy stance towards Bangladesh, accusing the neighbouring country of encouraging fundamentalist forces targeting Hindu minorities.
Pahalgam attack: More countries express solidarity with India, offer support in fight against terrorism
Ambassadors of Israel, Egypt, Argentina, and Nepal met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar in New Delhi on Friday, expressing solidarity with India in its fight against terrorism following the heinous terror attack in Pahalgam.
Tripura CM directs SPs and DMs to remain vigilant about Pakistani nationals
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday directed the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of all eight districts to regularly share necessary inputs with the Chief Minister’s Secretariat regarding the presence of any Pakistani nationals in the state, officials said.
US supports India's 'hunt' for those behind 'horrific Islamist terrorist attack' in Pahalgam, says Gabbard
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence (DNI), on Friday said that the United States supports India's "hunt" for the perpetrators of the "horrific Islamist terrorist attack" in Pahalgam that took place earlier this week.
Tehran stands ready to 'forge greater understanding' between India and Pakistan: Iran FM Araghchi
Citing its good relations with both India and Pakistan, Iran on Friday said that it stands ready to "forge greater understanding" between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terror attack, earlier this week.
PM Modi's action will act as deterrent against any fresh attempts to harm India: Tripura CM
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday denounced the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting his staunch belief that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decisive action will act as a strong deterrent against any future attempts by terrorists to harm India.