G20 summit | Business Upturn

PM calls upon G20’s parliamentarians to unitedly fight against terrorism

United News of India (UNI) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:37:45 +0000

New Delhi, Oct 13 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called upon the Parliamentarians of G20 countries to work together in this fight against terrorism.

Speaking at an event to inaugurate the 9th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20) at the Yashobhoomi convention centre in Delhi, the Prime Minister said, “India has been facing cross-border terrorism for many years now.”

Recalling the 2001 terrorist attack on Parliament the Prime Minister said, ‘ around 20 years ago, terrorists targeted our Parliament at the time when the session was underway”.

“The world is also realising how big a challenge terrorism is for the globe and that it is against humanity. Parliaments in the world and their representatives have to think on how to work together in this fight against terrorism”.

The Prime Minister also stressed for peace and moving forward together and said, “It is the time for everyone’s development.”

In reference to terrorism and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, Modi said, “A world full of conflicts and confrontations cannot benefit anyone”.

“A divided world cannot give solutions to the challenges before us. This is a time for peace and brotherhood, a time to move together, a time to move forward together,” he added.

Speaking about parliamentary practices, the Prime Minister said, “India has decided to provide 33pc reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.”

He added that there are about 32 lakh elected representatives in local self-governance institutions in India. Out of these, about 50 per cent are female representatives”.

Speaking about the general elections, Prime Minister Modi said in India, General elections are considered the biggest festival, and since independence, India has seen 17 general elections and more than 300 state assembly elections”.

“India conducts not only the biggest election, but the participation of people has been continuously increasing,” he added.

Modi said, “The 2019 general elections in India was the largest election exercise in human history; more than 600 million voters took part in this exercise”.

“The use of EVMs has boosted transparency and efficiency in the election process, as results are now declared within hours of the counting of votes,” the PM said.

India hosted the two-day summit under the broader framework of India’s G20 presidency.

In line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency, the theme of the P20 Summit is Parliaments for One Earth, One Family, and One Future.

During this two-day global event, 25 speakers, 10 Deputy Speakers, along with 50 members of Parliament, among others, are going to participate.

The Pan African Parliament will also participate in the G20 event for the first time in India.

The Ninth P20 reflects a glorious journey of collective vision of Presiding Officers of Parliaments of G20 nations, which took root in 2010 in a consultative meeting.

During the summit, four high-level sessions will be organised, which are accelerating Sustainable Development Goals, Sustainable Energy Transition, women-led development, and transformation in people’s lives through public digital platforms.

G20 FMCBGs adopt roadmap on regulating crypto assets

United News of India (UNI) — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 07:00:59 +0000

New Delhi/Marrakech, Oct 13 : The G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBGs) under the Indian Presidency adopted the G20 roadmap for crypto currencies on Friday, aimed at developing mitigating strategies and regulations on crypto assets.

The communiqué adopted by FMCBGs after its fourth and final meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank Annual Meetings said that the roadmap for cryptos is essential to achieving the common goals of macro-economic and financial stability.

The communique said that the roadmap is also essential to ensure effective, flexible, and coordinated implementation of the comprehensive policy framework for crypto assets.

“We call for swift and coordinated implementation of the G20 Roadmap, including implementation of policy frameworks; outreach beyond G20 jurisdictions; global coordination, cooperation, and information sharing; and addressing data gaps,” the communique said.

“We ask the IMF and FSB (Financial Stability Board) to provide regular and structured updates on the progress of the implementation of the G20 Roadmap on Crypto Assets. We support the ongoing work and global implementation of FATF (Financial Action Task Force) standards on crypto assets,” it said.

The G20 FMCBGs unanimously adopted the G20 communique. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das co-chaired the first session of the fourth and final meeting of the G20 FMCBG under the Indian Presidency in Marrakech today.

The FMCBG communiqué re-emphasized the importance of addressing debt vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries in an effective, comprehensive, and systematic manner.

It was noted that transformative changes are required in the vision, operating models, and financing capacities of multilateral development banks (MDBs).

“We encourage MDBs to enhance private capital mobilization through supporting enabling conditions, innovative risk-sharing instruments, and new partnerships to maximize their development impact. This, along with the implementation of all appropriate CAF (Capital Adequacy Frameworks) recommendations, would maximize the leverage effect of potential capital increases.

Concerning the war in Ukraine, the communique underscored that all states must act in a manner consistent with the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter in its entirety.

“In line with the UN Charter, all states must refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity, sovereignty, or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible,” it said.

The G20 FMCBG communique called 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 peaceful resolution of conflicts and efforts to address crisis as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical,” it said.

African Union Commission Chief speaks up over PM Modi welcoming it as a permanent member of the G20

Kashvi Basu — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 14:28:00 +0000

The African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat on Saturday i.e 9th September praised AU’s entry into the G20, highlighting that it will allow Africa to make its “effective contribution” in fulfilling global challenges.

“I welcome the African Union’s entry into the G20 as a full member. This membership, for which we have long been advocating, will provide a propitious framework for amplifying advocacy in favor of the Continent and its effective contribution to meeting global challenges,” the AU head wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday formally announced the addition of a 55-member African Union as a permanent member of the G20. While addressing the inaugural session of the mega Summit, PM Modi said, “In keeping with the sentiment of sabka saath (with everyone), India had proposed that the African Union should be given permanent membership of the G20. I believe we all are in agreement on this proposal . Before we start our work, I invite the African Union president to take his position as a permanent member,” he said. As soon as the announcement was made public, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar escorted the current chairperson of the African Union and Comoros President Azali Assoumani to his respective seat.

As for now , Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is present at the Summit, said, “As a continent, we look forward to further advancing our aspirations on the global stage using the G20 platform.” All in all , collectively, African Union member states have a GDP of nearly USD 3 trillion and a steady population of about 1.4 billion.

G20 Summit 2023: A grand welcome at Bharat Mandapam

Vanshika Lodhi — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:31:16 +0000

At the Bharat Mandapam, the G20 Summit venue, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted numerous world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Among the first to arrive at the newly constructed venue in Pragati Maidan were UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, IMF Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, and WTO Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

PM Modi warmly received several leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was greeted with a hug, as were Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who will assume the next G20 presidency, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Argentinian president.

Lula was accompanied by his wife and Brazilian First Lady Rosngela da Silva. The world leaders walked the red carpet lined with national flags with the wall depicting different yoga postures.

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak greeted PM Modi with a namaste. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and European Commission President Urusula von der Leyen also arrived at the Bharat Mandapam, the grand international exhibition and convention centre.

President of Turkey, Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Egypt President Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil El-Sisi, Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Oman Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad bin Tarik Al Said and Spain’s First Vice President Nadia Calvino were also welcomed by PM Modi.

The nameplate at the G20 Summit for Prime Minister Modi read ‘Bharat’

Vanshika Lodhi — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:23:22 +0000

A dinner invitation extended to G20 delegates and other attendees was issued by the ‘President of Bharat’. This sparked a political controversy, with opposition parties alleging that the government is attempting to eliminate ‘India’ from the country’s name. They also associated this action with their decision to name their alliance INDIA.

At the G20 Summit that commenced on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was recognized as the leader of ‘Bharat’. As he delivered his opening remarks at the start of the two-day event, his name card at the Bharat Mandapam, the summit’s venue, read ‘Bharat’.

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

In several official G20 documents, the government has referred to the country as ‘Bharat’, a term that is used interchangeably with India in the Constitution.

The dinner invitation controversy was reignited when it was addressed by the ‘President of Bharat’. Opposition parties claimed that this was an attempt by the government to remove ‘India’ from the country’s name, and they linked this move to their decision to name their alliance INDIA. The G20 Summit began on Saturday with deliberations on pressing global issues by Modi, US President Joe Biden, and other leaders of the world’s wealthiest economies, all under the shadow of the Ukraine war, which has significantly disrupted the global geopolitical order.

India, hosting this high-profile summit for the first time, aims to achieve concrete results in areas such as climate transition financing, digital public infrastructure, accelerated implementation of sustainable development goals, a framework for cryptocurrency, and reform of international financial institutions.

The majority of the Indian G20 presidency’s priorities were designed to benefit the Global South or developing countries. Indian negotiators involved in drafting the leaders’ declaration are confident that most of New Delhi’s proposals would be endorsed by the top leadership of the grouping.

Decoding the Bharat tag at the G20 Summit: A symbolic move or more?

Vanshika Lodhi — Sat, 09 Sep 2023 08:19:31 +0000

The G20 Summit saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s table tagged with the country name “Bharat”, which drew significant attention. This came after President Droupadi Murmu extended a G20 dinner invitation in the name of the “President of Bharat”. This sparked speculation about a potential change in the country’s official name, especially given an upcoming special session of Parliament with an unspecified agenda.

Government officials have linked Murmu’s preference for “Bharat” to a desire to move away from colonial influences. References to “Bharat” have been included in documents related to Modi’s recent foreign visits, including a trip to Indonesia.

The opposition has associated these references to “Bharat” with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party’s apprehension about the formation of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) ahead of the 2024 national elections.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, Modi emphasized transforming the global trust deficit following the Covid pandemic into trust and confidence. He highlighted the importance of this period in the 21st century and the need to provide new direction to the world.

India took over the G20 presidency in December and has since conducted meetings across 32 sectors. These meetings will culminate with a gathering of heads of governments and states from the world’s 20 largest economies in New Delhi over the weekend.

Modi stressed on the importance of a human-centric approach for G20 and fulfilling all responsibilities. He said, “This is the time when age-old challenges are demanding new solutions from us. This is the time for all of us to walk together.”

In an interview prior to the Summit, Modi elaborated on his government’s approach of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas”. He explained that it involves bringing the world together to face collective challenges, taking human-centric growth to every country and region, winning stakeholders’ trust through recognition of their aspirations and voices, and utilizing every country’s unique strengths and skills for global good.

Delhi G20 Summit: Foreign delegates greeted with cultural performances

Vanshika Lodhi — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 18:04:05 +0000

Foreign delegations enjoyed a live shehnai music and dances from different Indian states as they arrived at the G20 Summit, showcasing the rich diversity of the country.

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty landed in Delhi for the G20 Summit on September 8 and were greeted by Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty landed in Delhi for the G20 Summit on September 8 and were greeted by Union Minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey.

US President Joe Biden has landed in Delhi to attend the two-day G20 Summit on September 9 and 10. Joe Biden met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s residence in Delhi and held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also reached Delhi and met Union Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines Raosaheb Patil Danve. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa also reached Delhi and met Union Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines Raosaheb Patil Danve.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also present at the G20 summit. UN Secretary-General António Guterres is also present at the G20 summit.

Oman PM Haitham bin Tariq Al Said arrived in Delhi to join the G20 Summit. Oman PM Haitham bin Tariq Al Said arrived in Delhi to join the G20 Summit.

Delhi Police website crashes amid cyber threats ahead of G20 Summit

Vanshika Lodhi — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 14:01:01 +0000

The Delhi Police website has crashed due to cyber threats during the G20 Summit 2023, with the “Team Insane PK hackers group” claiming responsibility. The website currently displays an error message stating that the service is unavailable.

Team Insane PK hackers group claims to have targeted the website of Delhi Police.#India #cti #threatintel pic.twitter.com/1152DNYS1F

— FalconFeeds.io (@FalconFeedsio) September 8, 2023

According to a report by reuters, a threat intelligence platform, has informed that hackers are targeting Indian websites amid the G20 Summit preparations. These threats include Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) and data leaks.

Reuter quoted, as saying that most of the groups targeting India are hacktivist groups that have been active for many months. The discussion related to G20 was started by Indonesian groups such as Hacktivist Indonesia Jambi Cyber Team, Ganonsec, FR3DENS OF SECURITY, host kill crew, and more. It was later joined by Pakistan-backed groups like team insane pk, with more groups expected to join soon.

In response to these threats, security has been increased across the national capital, particularly in the New Delhi district. Markswomen and armed forces have been deployed at strategic locations, patrolling has been enhanced, and intensive checking is being carried out in border areas. Delhi Police is being assisted by over 50,000 security personnel, K9 dog squads, and mounted police.

The Tibetan Youth Congress held a protest in north Delhi’s Majnu ka Tilla against the participation of Chinese delegates in the Summit. The protesters carried out a peaceful demonstration while holding banners and raising anti-China slogans amid heavy personnel deployment.

G20 Summit: New Delhi restricts online delivery services except for medicines

Vanshika Lodhi — Mon, 04 Sep 2023 13:39:13 +0000

During the G20 Summit, all online delivery services, except for medicines, will be prohibited in the New Delhi district, according to the Delhi Police. Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic) SS Yadav stated during a press conference that the traffic advisory issued by the police on August 25 remains unchanged.

Essential services such as postal and medical services, as well as sample collections by path labs, will be permitted throughout Delhi. In the New Delhi area, commercial activities will not be allowed, with the exception of medicine delivery. Valid permissions granted for essential services will be “honoured,” according to Yadav.

Metro services will not be affected, with the exception of the Supreme Court station. Gates may be closed for 10-15 minutes at stations due to VIP movement and security restrictions. People with hotel bookings in the New Delhi district and travelling from the airport or railway station will be allowed entry, subject to the production of boarding passes and booking documents.

The G20 Leaders’ Summit is scheduled to take place from September 9-10 at the newly built international convention and exhibition centre – Bharat Mandapam – at Pragati Maidan.

G20 summit: Comprehensive security arrangement in Delhi

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 02 Sep 2023 10:51:05 +0000

New Delhi, Sep 1 : Ahead of the G20 summit, a comprehensive security arrangement has been made across the national capital. All the important points including airports, event venues or places where dignitaries will stay have been covered with security.

A senior Delhi Police officer said that several anti-terror measures have been taken to avert any untoward incident during the summit. The police got assistance from Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) and NSG in terms of manpower and equipment for its preparation for the event which is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10, at Pragati Maidan in Delhi.

The city is gearing up to host the highly anticipated G20 summit as an integral part of its preparations today, the newly recruited trainee commandos of Delhi Police demonstrated their proficiency in the helicopter slithering exercise at Delhi Police Academy, Jharoda Kalan in Delhi, Delhi Police said.

A total of 16 Sub-Inspectors (Male), 3 Women SIs and 162 constables from the Delhi Police undertook the ‘Helicopter Slithering’ field tactics drill training, which was conducted using a Border Security Force MI-17 IV Helicopter in the nation capital.

Slithering from a helicopter is an exceptionally perilous procedure, posing significant risks not only to the pilot but also to the individuals descending from the airborne helicopter, due to the powerful rotor-generated wind gusts. It plays a critical role as a swift and vital operation executed by highly trained personnel to reach the ground level or a designated point during scenarios such as terrorist attacks or emergencies in rugged terrain where traditional transportation methods are impractical, Delhi Police said.

After completing the Helicopter slithering training drill, Sunil Kumar Gautam, Special Commissioner of Police (Training), Delhi expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support and cooperation from the Border Security Force officials, underscoring the significance of such collaborative initiatives in bolstering security and preparedness.

Chinese President Xi Jinping to skip G20 Summit in India

Vanshika Lodhi — Thu, 31 Aug 2023 13:13:10 +0000

According to a report, Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip the G20 Summit in India. Instead, Premier Li Qiang is expected to attend as Beijing’s representative. The last interaction between Xi and Biden took place during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November of the previous year.

Sources familiar with the situation in both India and China have indicated that Chinese President Xi Jinping is anticipated to skip the upcoming G20 leaders’ summit in India. Reuters has reported that two Indian officials, including a diplomat stationed in China and another official from a different G20 nation, have indicated that Premier Li Qiang is projected to attend the New Delhi meeting on September 9-10 as a representative of Beijing.

The G20 summit scheduled in India was seen as a potential opportunity for Chinese President Xi Jinping to engage with US President Joe Biden, who has already confirmed his participation. This event was considered significant as both major powers aimed to mend their relations strained by various trade and geopolitical conflicts.

Xi’s most recent interaction with Biden occurred during the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia, in November of the previous year.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has conveyed his decision not to attend the New Delhi summit in person, opting to send Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as his representative instead.

One senior government official from host India told Reuters that “we are aware that the premier will come”, in place of Xi.

According to information from two foreign diplomats in China and a government representative from another G20 nation, it is probable that Xi Jinping will not be making the trip to the summit.

Reuters reported that these sources within China, two of whom mentioned that they received this information from Chinese officials, expressed that they lacked knowledge regarding the specific cause behind his potential nonattendance.

Expectations of a potential meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden have been heightened by a series of visits to Beijing by prominent U.S. officials over the past few months. Notably, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo’s recent visit has contributed to this anticipation.

Furthermore, there is another upcoming summit that has been suggested as a platform for in-person discussions between the two leaders—the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Meeting scheduled to take place in San Francisco from November 12 to 18.

Xi Jinping, who notably secured an unprecedented third term as leader in October of the previous year, has undertaken limited international travels since China’s abrupt easing of stringent pandemic-related border restrictions earlier this year. Nevertheless, he did participate in a gathering of leaders from the BRICS consortium of significant emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—in South Africa just last week.

In the lead-up to the G20 summit, a series of ministerial meetings in India have been marked by disagreement. Notably, Russia and China have jointly resisted endorsing collective statements that contained paragraphs denouncing Moscow’s incursion into Ukraine during the previous year.

Amidst this backdrop, Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in dialogue on the fringes of the BRICS gathering in Johannesburg. They deliberated on strategies to alleviate tensions in their bilateral relationship, which had deteriorated following confrontations along their Himalayan border in 2020, resulting in the loss of 24 soldiers.

New Delhi gears up for G20 Summit: Here’s what you need to know about security and opportunities

Vanshika Lodhi — Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:21:39 +0000

The G20 Summit is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, 2023. Over 30 hotels in Delhi-NCR will host the delegates during the course of this summit. US President Joe Biden will stay in ITC Maurya Sheraton and the Taj Palace will host Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Elaborate security arrangements have been made by security agencies, including Delhi Police and paramilitary forces and other units, ahead of the G20 Summit. To enhance coordination and ensure foolproof security at the event venues, security agencies are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) modules. Through these machines, security personnel will be able to identify and filter suspicious activities using advanced AI-based cameras and software alarms. National Security Guard (NSG) commandos and Army snipers will be stationed in high-rise buildings for added security during the Summit. The security establishment will deploy covert “House Intervention Teams” or HIT squads within all city hotels accommodating G20 guests. Over 150 flights cancelled at IGI airport for the security purpose.

(NSG Commando)

The G20 Summit is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 19 countries and the European Union. The member countries represent around 85% of the global economy, 75% of global trade, and two-thirds of the world’s population. The primary aim of the G20 is to discuss policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability. The summit provides a platform for leaders to discuss a wide range of global issues, including economic growth, international trade, and financial market regulation.

The G20 Summit is an important event for India as it provides an opportunity for the country to showcase its economic potential and attract foreign investment. The summit also provides a platform for India to engage with other countries on important global issues such as climate change, sustainable development, and international trade.

The G20 Summit in New Delhi is an important event that will bring together leaders from around the world to discuss important global issues. The summit will also provide an opportunity for India to showcase its economic potential and attract foreign investment. Elaborate security arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of all participants.

G20 Summit in Delhi: Flight Operations at IGI Airport to be Impacted

Vanshika Lodhi — Sun, 27 Aug 2023 17:55:27 +0000

The G20 Summit, scheduled to take place in Delhi from September 7 to 10, is expected to impact flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The Central government has mandated airlines to reduce their flight frequency by 25% during the summit period. This decision stems from limitations in parking space at the Delhi airport. Additionally, the government has appealed to airlines to temporarily move certain aircraft to airports in other cities to accommodate the Summit.

However, airline officials have raised concerns about the potential for disruptions in the nationwide flight network. This raises the possibility of flight cancellations, especially given that Delhi serves as India’s primary airport.

Preparations for the G20 Summit involve the anticipation of more than 50 aircraft landing in Delhi. These planes will be carrying prominent figures such as US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and other notable dignitaries.

According to reports, airlines have requested the cancellation of approximately 160 domestic flights during the three-day period from September 8 to 10. This amounts to a mere 6% of normal domestic operations at the Delhi Airport. International flights are not expected to be affected by the G20 Summit.

Contrary to earlier reports, the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has stated that the airport is fully equipped with ample parking space for aircraft during the summit period. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is expected to release official guidelines in the coming days to address these concerns and coordinate airline operations effectively.

The Delhi Police has advised residents to use the Delhi metro’s Airport Line for smooth and hassle-free movement during the G20 Summit. In case people traveling to the airport choose to travel by road instead of the metro, they are advised to make travel plans with sufficient time in hand.

India suggests making the African Union a full G20 member

Avinash Ram — Sun, 18 Jun 2023 10:57:27 +0000

According to people with knowledge of the situation, India has suggested granting the African Union full participation at the G20 for the group’s next September meeting in Delhi. It is reported that Indian Prime Minister Modi has brought up the idea with his G20 peers.

India has advocated for a stronger voice for the developing countries in the G20’s discussions throughout its one-year presidency. In order to provide developing nation viewpoints to the G20, it held the Voices of the Global South meeting in January 2023.

“The 55 member states that make up the nations of the African Continent make up the African Union (AU), a continental organisation. According to the organization’s website, it was formally introduced in 2002 as a replacement for the Organisation of African Unity (OAU, 1963–1999).

The major objective of the association is to “accelerate the political and socio-economic integration of the continent.”

Additionally, it emphasises supporting and defending shared African perspectives on important topics as well as fostering international collaboration, defending human rights, and encouraging these stances. The sole member of the G20 at the moment is an African nation—South Africa.

The status previously accorded to the European Union is mirrored in India’s plan to award full membership to the African Union. Germany, France, and Italy are the only three EU members now a part of the organisation.

India’s action is in line with its goals of positioning itself as the leader of the Global South. Food security, economic weaponization, debt alleviation, and climate change are just a few of the important issues that India has pushed for debate on during its G20 Presidency.

G20 Summit: Lieutenant Governor inaugurates revamped Polo View market

United News of India (UNI) — Fri, 12 May 2023 08:02:36 +0000

Srinagar, May 12: Ahead of G20 Summit, the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated revamped Polo view market and said many markets in Srinagar will look like that of Delhi and Chandigarh under the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL) project soon.

“Markets of Lal Chowk and old Srinagar city will look like that of Delhi, Chandigarh and other cities very soon after being renovated under SSCP”, Lieutenant Governor told reporters after inaugurating the Polo View market of the city, renovated under the Smart City Project.

“Lal Chowk and the old city will have new markets soon. People going to these markets will feel as if they are in Delhi, Chandigarh or Mumbai. In the coming days” the Lieutenant Governor said and added “there would be more new markets under SSCP,

Famous Polo view market in summer capital Srinagar is the first ever market given an all-new look under the SSCP and became an eye-catching attraction for locals and tourists.

The market also became the first ever only pedestrian and wire free as all lines including electricity and communication cables have been placed underground.

The market represents a mesmerizing view during the evening amid the illuminated tall Chinar trees adding a jewel in the crown to the market.

The shopkeepers who are ecastics over the beautification of the market expressed their gratitude to the administration for changing the face of the market.

LG was accompanied by SMC Mayor Junaid Azim Matoo, SMC Commissioner Athar Amir Khan and other officials of the administration.

The market has been spruced up under the SSCP ahead of the G20 Summit going to be held in Srinagar this month.

There are about 125 projects under SSCP on which work is going on and most of them are likely to be completed by the end of this month.

Under the smart city projects, the J&K administration has laid cycle tracks and kept the cycles available against hourly charges at various points in the city. Roadside car parking has also been made available.

Chinese Envoy calls border dispute between India and China a “Bilateral Issue”

Sakshi Vats — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 17:11:43 +0000

According to Ma Jia, charge d’affaires of the Chinese embassy, while China and India will have to deal with the “difficulties” brought on by the border situation, neither nation wants to go to war or engage in confrontation.

Ma said the situation in the border areas was “very complicated” and noted that it was difficult to come to an agreement. He pointed out this is why the two countries were holding talks through the established Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation and the senior commander-level meetings.

Since the consensus at the G20 Summit in Bali, she claimed, the circumstances around the Ukraine issue has “intensified,” now making it “more difficult to reach the accommodation”.

Her comments came in response to a joint statement made by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin following their meeting, which stated that the two countries will resist using multilateral platforms to take up “irrelevant issues.”

As Sun Weidong finished his tenure as ambassador to India in October of last year, China has failed to name a replacement. Ma, a senior diplomat, has been in command of the New Delhi mission.

Ma had previously stated in her suo moto remarks that the current border situation was stable and that communication between China and India was continuing through the senior commander level meetings and the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Cooperation.

Giving her assessment of the border situation, the top Chinese diplomat in India stated, “There are difficulties, I have just said that. But, we have to face it. We are also confident that China and India do not want war. Neither of us want a war. Neither of us want confrontation along the border areas.”

The Chinese diplomat said it may be challenging to reach a consensus at the G20 if “prominent security issues” were raised at a conference meant to address economic and financial issues, amid reports that Russia and China will oppose raising the Ukraine issue on multilateral platforms.

“As long as you are out of the track and discussing prominent security issues on economic and financial platforms, it is very difficult to reach consensus. In G20, we have this consensus principle. Even if one country does not agree, it is not a consensus,” she stated.

G20 Summit 2022: PM Modi will leave for Bali today and take the presidency of India amid bilateral talks

Aryan Jakhar — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 04:11:10 +0000

The G20 summit, with the motto “Recover Together, Recover Stronger,” will bring together leaders from 20 nations, accounting for over 85% of the global GDP and about two-thirds of the world’s population. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Bali, Indonesia, today to attend the conference.

The Prime Minister will inform the world leaders on India’s changing G20 priorities during his visit and engage in bilateral discussions with them. In addition, this G20 summit is significant since it will serve as the transition point for India’s one-year presidency, which it will assume on December 1, 2022.

“At the closing session of the Summit, President Widodo will symbolically hand over the G20 Presidency to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. India will formally assume the G20 Presidency from 1 December 2022,” read the official press release by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“India’s G20 presidency is coming at a time of crisis and chaos in the world. The world is going through the after-effects of a disruptive once-in-a-century pandemic, conflicts and a lot of economic uncertainty. The symbol of the lotus in the G20 logo is a representation of hope in these times,” PM Modi said at the launch of India’s G20 logo last week.

The world leaders will undertake discussions during the summit on crucial problems of current importance, such as the global economy, energy, environment, agriculture, health, and digital transformation, among others.

PM Modi will take part in three working sessions for leaders at the Bali Summit, which is scheduled for November 15–16. These include talks on the security of food and energy, as well as workshops on digital transformation and health.

On November 16, leaders from the G20 Summit will visit Bali’s Taman Hutan Raya, better known as Bahasa Indonesia, a mangrove forest.

At the Indian community reception on November 15, PM Modi will also speak to and engage with members of the Indian community and friends of India and Bali.

PM Modi will visit Indonesia from November 14–16 to attend G20 Summit: MEA

Aryan Jakhar — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 01:21:49 +0000

The Ministry of External Affairs announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to the Indonesian city of Bali from November 14 to 16 in order to attend the two-day G20 conference.

On December 1, India will take over the group’s Presidency from Indonesia, which is currently in that position.

An important intergovernmental meeting of the world’s main established and emerging countries is the G20, sometimes known as the Group of 20. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union make up the influential group (EU).

On November 15 and 16, the G20 summit will be held in Bali, and PM Modi is expected to be one of the top world leaders present.

The G20 is the top platform for worldwide economic cooperation, encompassing over two-thirds of the world’s population, over 75% of global trade, and about 85% of the global GDP. Along with Indonesia and Italy, India is currently a member of the G20 Troika (current, past, and incoming G20 Presidencies).

The G20 Summit’s motto for this year is “Recover Together, Recover Stronger.”

Since the globe has been facing difficulties in all sectors, from health to education to international trade, as a result of the worldwide pandemic that struck the planet in 2020 and wrecked havoc, Indonesia has stated that its presidency carries the ethos of “recover together.”

The conflict in Ukraine, growing living expenses, mounting debt, and the disastrous effects of climate change have all contributed to the global catastrophe. Furthermore, the inability of some nations to deal with crisis situations has stopped the globe from finding solutions to the shared issues.

Putin & Zelensky both invited to G20: Indonesian president

United News of India (UNI) — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 09:47:54 +0000

Jakarta, April 30: Indonesia has invited both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to the Group of 20 (G20) summit in November, Indonesian President Joko Widodo. “Indonesia is ready to contribute to the peace effort,” Widodo said in a virtual press conference ON Friday. “Indonesia wants to unite the G20. Do not let there be a split. Peace and stability are the keys to the world economic development”. The G20, he said, plays a catalyst role in the recovery of the world economy. Adding that he had telephone conversations with both leaders of Russia and Ukraine this week. On Thursday, Widodo and Putin discussed issues of Russian-Indonesian cooperation and various aspects of the activities of G20 in a phone conversation. In a conversation with Zelensky on Wednesday, Widodo turned down a request for arms from the Ukrainian president. Saying that Indonesia is ready to provide humanitarian assistance.

(Except for the headline. This story has not been edited by Business Upturn staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chinese Foreign Ministry: “G20 platform should discuss economy, not Ukraine”

United News of India (UNI) — Fri, 22 Apr 2022 09:14:33 +0000

Beijing, April 22: China believes that the G20 platform should be used to discuss the economy, not the Ukrainian crisis, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said on Friday. On Thursday, the G7 countries said that Russia should not receive funds from international financial institutions. Including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. And also deplored Russia’s participation in international forums, including meetings of the G20 .The IMF and the World Bank this week. “We took note of the corresponding statement of the G7 nations. The G20 and relevant international organizations are platforms for discussing international financial and economic issues. Not the Ukrainian problem”. Zhao said at a briefing in response to the G7 nations’ statement against Russia’s participation in the G20 events.

PM Narendra Modi meets Pope Francis at the Vatican City ahead of G20 Summit

Ayisha Farah — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 07:18:53 +0000

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets with Pope Francis in Vatican City for ahead of the G20 Summit. PM Modi is accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar. The meeting was scheduled only for 20 minutes but went on for an hour, news agency PTI reported.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Vatican City to meet Pope Francis pic.twitter.com/rWCNxl7mVI

— ANI (@ANI) October 30, 2021

“Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India,” said a tweet from PM Modi’s personal account.

Had a very warm meeting with Pope Francis. I had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with him and also invited him to visit India. @Pontifex pic.twitter.com/QP0If1uJAC

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 30, 2021

PM Modi and the Pope addressed a broad range of issues directed towards making our planet better such as fighting climate change and eliminating poverty. PM Modi also invited Pope Francis to visit India.

“It may be recalled that the last Papal Visit happened in 1999 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the Prime Minister and Pope John Paul II came to India. Now it is during PM Modi’s Prime Ministerial term that the Pope has been invited to visit India,” sources said.

The meeting took place ahead of the delegation-level talks where they are expected to address issues such as COVID-19. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Rome for the G20 Summit at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

There was no set agenda for the talks with the Pope. “I believe tradition is not to have an agenda when you discuss issues with His Holiness. And I think we respect that. I’m sure the issues that will be covered would cover a range of areas of interests in terms of the general global perspectives and issues that are important to all of us,” Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla had said yesterday.

The theme of the G20 meet under the Italian Presidency is focused around ‘People, Planet and Prosperity’ which will address the global economic situation, COVID-19, sustainable development, and climate change. This will be the eighth G20 Summit participated by Prime Minister Modi. Last year’s summit was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was hosted by Saudi Arabia.

On Friday, PM Modi met with the President of European Council Charles Michel and President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. He also met his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi at Palazzo Chigi in Rome. Foreign Secretary, Harsh Vardhan revealed that PM Modi also addressed the turmoil in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific on Friday.

“Threats emerging out of Afghanistan need to be examined carefully,” says PM Modi in Italy

Cheryll Jain — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 07:15:12 +0000

Prime Minister, during his visit to Rome to attend the G20 summit in Italy, met with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Friday, October 29. During the meeting the two leaders discussed the situation in Afghanistan, pointing out the root cause of the problems the country is currently battling.

Stating the causes to be radicalism, extremism and terrorism, PM Modi surmised that their outcomes had to be very thoroughly examined by the international community, said Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla during a press conference.

Moreover, the Prime Minister emphasised that the situation in Afghanistan could not be seen in isolation. He also listed the failure and inability to provide good governance and the failure to be able to deal with the situation as it stands as a matter of introspection. During the press conference, the Foreign Secretary also pointed out that PM Modi warned the international community to be vigilant of any form of intimidation and threat that could emerge out of Afghanistan.

There was a strong sentiment concerning Afghanistan that was understood both by members of the European Union and Italy, Shringla said, adding that both the leaders agreed upon those sentiments and highlighted it as something to be scrutinised.

The Foreign Secretary noted that the emphasis of the leaders was also on the humanitarian situation in the country and the Italian Prime Minister referred to his efforts at the G20 summit to ensure that the people of Afghanistan were not made to suffer the consequences of the current situation.

PM Modi also emphasised the need for distinction between the current governance of Afghanistan and the people of the country, asserting that the Afghani people ought to be offered humanitarian aid. Shringla said that PM Modi further necessitated that direct and unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance be provided to Afghanistan.