High debt in developing nations worrying: Modi

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday flagged the threat of unsustainable debt facing some developing nations as he called upon the Group of 20 (G20) nations to focus on the world's most vulnerable citizens.

Trust in international financial institutions has eroded partly because they have been slow to reform themselves, he said in a video message at the start of the two-day meeting of G20 finance ministers and central bank governors. He referred to rising geopolitical tensions in different parts of the world but did not make any direct reference to the war in Ukraine. “Financial viability of many countries is threatened by unsustainable debt levels,” the prime minister said. “It is now up to you - the custodians of the leading economies and monetary systems of the world to bring back stability, confidence and growth to the global economy.”

A combination of ravage caused by the pandemic and high debt has driven nations around India, including Sri Lanka and Pakistan to bankruptcy. They are now knocking on the doors of global lending institutions for restructuring loans. Modi acknowledged "it's not an easy task" but urged the nations to work collectively to strengthen multilateral banks for meeting global challenges like climate change and high debt levels. "Trust in international financial institutions has eroded. This is partly because they have been slow to reform themselves," he said urging for discussion to "focus on the most vulnerable citizens of the world." The meeting here is the first major event under India's G20 presidency and coincided with the first anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine that has killed thousands and forced millions of people out of their homes.

“We are also witnessing rising geopolitical tensions in different parts of the world. There are disruptions in global supply chains. Many societies are suffering due to rising prices,” Modi said. Stating that at a time when the world is facing serious economic difficulties, he said the Covid-19 pandemic has delivered a once-in-a-century blow to the global economy.

Financial viability of many countries is threatened by unsustainable debt levels. It is now up to you - the custodians of the leading economies and monetary systemsdto bring back stability

- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister