By Neha Singh
New Delhi, September 10: For the first time in the history of India, at the eighteenth meeting of the G20 (Group of Twenty), a summit was held in India and also in South Asia.
The G20 Summit was held between September 9 and 10, 2023.
The summit was hosted by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital, where world leaders gathered to discuss global economic issues, cooperation, and several other issues.
Happy to have welcomed @POTUS @JoeBiden to 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. Our meeting was very productive. We were able to discuss numerous topics which will further economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA. The friendship between our nations will continue to play a… pic.twitter.com/Yg1tz9kGwQ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 8, 2023
The world leaders, who have arrived in New Delhi, gathered at the Pragati Maidan’s Bharat Mandapam International Exhibition and Convention Centre.
Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South. pic.twitter.com/fQQvNEA17o
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
Adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration
On the first day of the G20 Summit, theleaders adopted the New Delhi Declaration of the leader’s summit on Saturday. The biggest takeaway of this was that all 83 paragraphs of the declaration were passed unanimously with a 100 per cent consensus along with China and Russia in agreement.
At the ssession, PM Modi said, “Friends, I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit Declaration.”
Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, “History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future.
My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation,” PM Modi later said on X.
Speaking at the Session-2 on 'One Family' during the G20 Summit in Delhi. https://t.co/tj1jrzelBA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
G20 nations call for peace in Ukraine
Also, in a big win for India’s presidency, the G20 nations reached a consensus on the Ukraine conflict.
“We call on all states to uphold the principles of international law, including territorial integrity and sovereignty, international humanitarian law, and the multilateral system that safeguards peace and stability,” the declaration said.
“We … welcome all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine; the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible,” the statement added.
Mega connectivity corridor
On Saturday, plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were also unveiled in an effort to rival China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the United Arab Emirates, and others launched the initiative to link railways, ports, electricity and data networks, and hydrogen pipelines on the sidelines of the summit.
Sharing my remarks at the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment & India-Middle East-Europe Economics Corridor event during G20 Summit. https://t.co/Ez9sbdY49W
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
African Union becomes a permanent G20 member
On the first day of the summit, the African Union became a new permanent member of the G20 on the first day of the summit.
Advancing a more inclusive G20 that echoes the aspirations of the Global South!
PM @narendramodi extends a heartfelt welcome to President @_AfricanUnion and the President of Comoros Azali Assoumani.
Thrilled to have the African Union as a permanent member. A milestone for the… pic.twitter.com/SqwziRCwiT
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 9, 2023
This also marks the first expansion of the influential bloc since its inception in 1999.
Honoured to welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20 Family. This will strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South. pic.twitter.com/fQQvNEA17o
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
Global Biofuel Alliance launched by India
India also announced the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance and urged G20 nations to join the initiative with a plea to take ethanol blending with gasoline globally to 20 percent.
The launch of the Global Biofuels Alliance marks a watershed moment in our quest towards sustainability and clean energy.
I thank the member nations who have joined this Alliance. https://t.co/3wgUkmKCyA pic.twitter.com/MOmP1q6g2r
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023
G20 Summit Day 2
As it was raining heavily in New Delhi ahead of the concluding session of the G20 session themed ‘One Future’, the world leaders paid a visit to Raj Ghat to honour Mahatma Gandhi. They also laid a wreath at Gandhi’s Samadhi.
The ideals of Mahatma Gandhi reverberate globally. pic.twitter.com/J4Ko3IXpe4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
During this, PM Modi was seen presenting the world leaders with a Khadi stole.
At the iconic Rajghat, the G20 family paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi – the beacon of peace, service, compassion and non-violence.
As diverse nations converge, Gandhi Ji’s timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future. pic.twitter.com/QEkMsaYN5g
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
United Kingdom PM Rishi Sunak, wife Akshata Murthy visit Akshardham Temple
UK Prime Minister and a ‘Proud Hindu’ Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy visited the Akshardham temple in New Delhi Sunday morning, ahead of the final day of the G20 Summit. He and his wife were seen offering prayers at the temple.
#WATCH | G 20 in India | United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murthy at Delhi's Akshardham temple.
(Source: UK Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/JBUdZHoYoU
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2023
PM Modi hands over Presidency to Brazil, delivers closing remarks
Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over the gavel, symbolic of the G20 Presidency, on Sunday, Day 2 of the G20 Summit, to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. With that, the G20 Summit that was being held in Delhi has come to a close, followed by PM Modi’s remarks.
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also praised India for giving voice to topics of interests of emerging economies.
At the closing session. PM Modi said, “As you all know India has the responsibility of G20 presidency till November 2023. In these two days, all of you gave a lot of suggestions and placed proposals. It is our duty that the suggestions we have received be reviewed once again so as to see how their progress can be sped up. I propose that at the end of November, we hold a virtual session of G 20. We can review the topics decided in this Summit, in that virtual session…I hope you all will connect in the virtual session…With this, I declare the conclusion of G 20 session.”
Sharing my remarks at the closing ceremony of the G20 Summit. https://t.co/WKYINiXe3U
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Protocol breach in Biden’s convoy
In a protocol breach incident during the G20 Summit, a car from US President Joe Biden’s convoy entered a hotel in New Delhi where the UAE Crown Prince was staying. According to sources, the security breach at the Hotel Taj happened on Saturday morning and initially sent the security agencies into a frenzy.
During questioning the driver, the officials found that the driver had decided to ply his other customers before going to Joe Biden’s hotel.
The driver told police that he had been asked to reach ITC Maurya, where President Biden stayed during the G20 Summit, at 9.30 a.m. Since he had free time in the morning, he said yes to another ride where the customer wanted to reach the Taj Hotel by 8 a.m.
The businessman customer who was inside the car was stopped by the security agencies at the Hotel Taj.
After he was stopped, he said that he was not aware of the security protocols.
However, the driver was released after questioning, but the agencies removed him from Joe Biden’s convoy.
For the G20 Summit in Delhi, several traffic arrangements were made with an increase in security, like the deployment of fighter jets, drones, and paramilitary forces across the national capital to ensure the security of the delegates.
#WATCH | G 20 in India | US President Joe Biden departs from Delhi to Vietnam, after concluding the G20 Summit, earlier visuals. pic.twitter.com/gsAG0m5GwX
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2023