US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is hosting his G20 counterparts, including Russia's Sergei Lavrov, in Atlanta on Friday for talks expected to be fractious, with wars in Ukraine and Iran and high energy prices dividing members, The Hindu reported. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is taking part in the two-day meeting.
The meeting comes days before the US midterm elections on November 3 and sets the stage for a G20 leaders' summit in Miami in December.
Few breakthroughs expected
"The G20 is no longer really a forum where Foreign Ministers can reach agreement on a statement," a diplomatic source said. Instead of a joint declaration, the source expects a chair's summary drafted by the US.
A US State Department official said the talks would cover energy and supply chain challenges, and "keep critical sea lanes open to commerce without threats or tolls". Energy prices have soared since US-Israel strikes on Iran in late February led Tehran to block the Strait of Hormuz.
Alisha Chhangani of the Atlantic Council told AFP the US would likely push for agreement on what "freedom of navigation" means in and beyond Hormuz. China, which objected to such wording at an earlier G20 finance ministers' meeting, is sending a deputy instead of its top diplomat, Wang Yi.
Lavrov's presence
Mr. Lavrov, who remains under international sanctions, is expected to argue against them in Atlanta, which is likely to frustrate European ministers. The US has welcomed Russian officials at this year's G20 events, and President Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to the Miami summit. A diplomatic source said Russia's presence "in no way legitimises its actions".
Why it matters
The meeting follows Mr. Trump's announcement on October 9, after a call with Mr. Putin, that Russia would supply diesel to the US and world markets, starting with more than 300,000 tonnes. The move drew criticism from Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and lawmakers in both US parties. Mr. Trump temporarily lifted US sanctions on Russian fuel, and Russia says a first tanker has set sail.
For India, which buys Russian oil and depends on energy shipped through Hormuz, the outcome on sea lanes and sanctions bears directly on fuel prices at home.