Jaishankar Calls Out ‘Double Standards’ and Urges Diplomacy for Peace and Development

During a meeting of Foreign Ministers under the G20, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar criticized what he viewed as “double standards” within the international community, with a veiled reference to U.S. policies concerning Russian oil. He emphasized that development and peace are interconnected and that threatening one undermines the other. Jaishankar advocated for a shift towards dialogue and diplomatic solutions. His statement followed the United States’ economic actions, including tariffs and possible further trade restrictions on Russia. He further highlighted the disproportionate burden borne by the Global South due to rising costs of essential goods, such as food, fuel, and fertilizers, exacerbated by ongoing conflicts. He underscored that some nations are in a position to facilitate peace and should actively engage both sides in conflicts to achieve and sustain peace.