India's role in finding common ground among G20 members appreciated, says EAM S Jaishankar

India's contribution to finding common ground among members of the G20 in a polarised environment has been widely appreciated, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday, referring to the statement on the Ukraine conflict that reflected PM Modi's "not an era of war" sentiment.

Speaking in Parliament on the first day of the winter session, the minister said India's G20 presidency is an opportunity to showcase the country to the world and this will be done through cultural activities, regional festivals, technology programmes and several other initiatives.

On the Ukraine crisis, the minister said India's advocacy for dialogue and diplomacy has been "consistent and persistent" and has found a larger resonance by being broadly appreciated by the international community.

"During the G20 Bali Summit held under Indonesia's presidency, India extended fullest support to ensure its success. Our contribution to finding a common ground among members in a polarised environment was widely appreciated," said Jaishankar.

The minister said India will organise nearly 200 meetings in different sectors at multiple locations this year and the G20 summit next year will be "one of the highest-profile international gatherings to be hosted by this country". India will champion causes of the Global South during the presidency, he said.

"The G20 is taking place in the larger context of a geopolitical crisis, food and energy insecurity, slow progress on Sustainable Development Goals, mounting debt burden and challenges to climate action and climate justice. Our endeavour is to build consensus within the G20, champion causes, especially of the Global South, and shape the setting of the agenda," said Jaishankar.