G20 summit, New Delhi
The two-day G20 summit was held under the presidency of India in New Delhi on 9th and 10th September, 2023. India had taken over the presidency of the G20 in Indonesia in Bali last year. On September 9, leaders and heads of delegations arrived at the summit venue, Bharat Mandapam. On the first day, two sessions were held under the themes of ‘One Earth’ and ‘One Family’, respectively. On the second day, the third session took place under the theme ‘One Future’. In his opening remarks at the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said as the President of the G-20, India invites the entire world to come together, first and foremost, transform this global trust deficit into global trust and confidence. On the sidelines of the summit, the leaders held bilateral meetings separately. Before participating in the third session, the leaders also paid a visit to Rajghat, where they laid a wreath on Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi.
In his remarks in G20 session one, Prime Minister Shri Narendra said, “India is a land of diversity of faith, spirituality, and traditions. Many major religions in the world were born here, and every religion in the world has found respect here. As the ‘Mother of Democracy,’ our belief in dialogue and democratic principles has been unwavering since time immemorial. Our global conduct is rooted in the fundamental principle of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ which means the world is one family.'”Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi proposed the G20’s leadership declaration, which was agreed upon by all members. The declaration was thematically divided into eleven themes.
India has made it People’s G20 Summit : PM Modi
G20 summit, New Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in his opening remarks at the G20 Summit said that as the President of the G-20, India invites the entire world to come together and, first and foremost, transform this global trust deficit into global trust and confidence. The text of the remarks is as follows:
Before starting the formal proceedings, on behalf of all of us, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the people affected by the earthquake that occurred in Morocco a moment ago. We pray that all the injured people get well soon. The entire world community is with Morocco in this difficult time, and we are ready to provide them all possible assistance.Your Highnesses,
Excellencies,As the President of the G-20, India extends a warm welcome to all of you. At the place where we are gathered today, just a few kilometers away from here, stands a pillar that is nearly two and a half thousand years old. Inscribed on this pillar in the Prakrit language are the words :
‘हेवम लोकसा हितमुखे ति,
अथ इयम नातिसु हेवम’
Meaning,
‘The welfare and happiness of humanity should always be ensured.’Two and a half thousand years ago, the land of India gave this message to the entire world.
Let us begin this G-20 Summit by remembering this message.
The 21st century is a time that has the potential to give a new direction to the entire world. It’s a time when years old challenges demand new solutions from us. Therefore, we must move forward by fulfilling all our responsibilities with a Human Centric approach.
Friends,
After Covid-19, a huge crisis of lack of trust has come in the world. Conflict has deepened this trust deficit.Just as we can overcome COVID, we can also overcome this crisis of mutual trust.
Today, as the President of the G-20, India invites the entire world to come together and, first and foremost, transform this Global Trust Deficit into global trust and confidence.This is a time for all of us to walk together, and the mantra of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, and Sabka Prayas’ can become a guiding light for all of us.
Whether its a turbulent global economy,
or the North-South divide,
or the distance between East and West,
Management of Food, Fuel, and Fertilizer,
Or dealing with Terrorism and Cybersecurity,
Or ensuring Health, Energy, and Water Security,
We must move towards concrete solutions for these challenges, not just for the present but also for future generations,Friends,
India’s G-20 presidency has become a symbol of inclusion, both within the country and beyond, representing the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath’.It has become a ‘People’s G-20’. Millions of Indians have engaged with it.
Over 200 meetings have been held in more than 60 cities across the country.
It was in the spirit of ‘Sabka Saath’ that India proposed permanent membership for the African Union in the G-20. I believe that we all agree on this proposal.With your consent, before we proceed with further proceedings, I invite the Chairperson of the African Union to take their place as a permanent member of the G-20.
G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi lauded the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration and expressed his gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation.
Highlights of the 37-page declaration are as follows :
• Concerning the war in Ukraine, while recalling the discussion in Bali, we reiterated our national positions and resolutions adopted at the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly (A/RES/ES-11/1 and A/RES/ES-11/6) and 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 and sovereignty or political independence of any state. The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible.
• Reaffirming that the G20 is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, and recognizing that while the G20 is not the platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues, we acknowledge that these issues can have significant consequences for the global economy. It called for a cessation of military destruction or other attacks on food and energy infrastructure and flagged concerns about high levels of volatility in food and energy markets.
• The member countries committed to a “phasedown” of coal “in line with national circumstances”. With major fossil fuel producers including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Australia – and coal-dependent nations such as India and South Africa – at the table, the G20 also pledged to triple renewable energy sources by 2030.
• Developing countries need $ 5.8 to $ 5.9 trillion in the pre-2030 period for their climate goals, while the world would need another $ 4 trillion per annum investment by 2030 to help reach net-zero carbon emission goal by 2050.
• The New Delhi Declaration also called for reforming of international financial institutions, managing debt vulnerabilities of low and middle-income countries and the start of exchange of tax-relevant information on crypto assets by 2027.
• The global leaders stressed that central banks remain strongly committed to achieving price stability in line with their respective mandates. “With notable tightening in global financial conditions, which could worsen debt vulnerabilities, persistent inflation and geo-economic tensions, the balance of risks remains tilted to the downside. We, therefore, reiterate the need for well-calibrated monetary, fiscal, financial, and structural policies to promote growth, reduce inequalities and maintain macroeconomic and financial stability,” it added.
• The document welcomed the initial steps taken by the Financial Stability Board, Standard Setting Bodies and certain jurisdictions to examine what lessons can be learned from this recent banking turbulence and encourage them to advance their ongoing work. It further added that they recognized the importance of supply-side policies, especially policies that increase labor supply and enhance productivity to boost growth and alleviate price pressures.
• The Group of 20 top world economies welcomed the African Union as a member at their annual summit.
Sharing the digital copy of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, the Prime Minister posted on X:
“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.”
The leaders who attended the summit were US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez,Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese,Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva,Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,Chinese Premier Li Keqiang,European Council President Charles Michel,French President Emmanuel Macron,German Chancellor Olaf Scholz,Indonesian President Joko Widodo,Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni,Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida,Mexican Foreign Secretary Marcelo
India-Middle East-Europe Economic corridor Launched
Corridor to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation and shared progress: PM
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and other world leaders on 9 September launched the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor at the G20 Summit. The connectivity corridor will connect data, trains, ports, energy networks, and hydrogen pipes between the three regions.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has hailed the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. He said that it promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams.
The Prime Minister posted on X: “Charting a journey of shared aspirations and dreams, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor promises to be a beacon of cooperation, innovation, and shared progress. As history unfolds, may this corridor be a testament to human endeavour and unity across continents.”
African Union included as full member of G20
PM Modi proposed the inclusion
In his opening remarks at the 18th G20 Leaders’ Summit on September 9, PM Shri Narendra Modi invited the African Union, represented by Azali Assoumani, to take a seat at the table of G20 leaders as a permanent member.
The African Union chairperson expressed his gratitude to the G20 member countries for the historic inclusion of the bloc in the G20 family.
The proposal was made in a letter to G20 leaders from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in June of this year, when he suggested that the African Union receive “full membership” at the upcoming G20 summit in Delhi,Assoumani took to his official handle on ‘X’ to post, “The G20 has just ratified, through the voice of the Prime Minister of India, @narendramodi, the admission of the @_AfricanUnion into its fold. On behalf of the African continent, I sincerely thank all the member countries of the @g20org for this historic admission.”
On September 10, Prime Minister Shri Modi held a meeting with Assoumani, congratulating him on the African bloc joining the G20 family.
Ebrard,Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman,South African President Cyril Ramaphosa,South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Global Biofuel Alliance Launched
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi along with the leaders of Singapore, Bangladesh, Italy, USA, Brazil, Argentina, Mauritius and UAE, launched the Global Biofuel Alliance in New Delhi.
The Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) is an initiative by India as the G20 Chair. The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels through facilitating technology advancements, intensifying utilization of sustainable biofuels, shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders. The alliance will also act as a central repository of knowledge and an expert hub. GBA aims to serve as a catalytic platform, fostering global collaboration for the advancement and widespread adoption of biofuels.
India-Brazil-South Africa-USA Joint Statement
We, the Leaders of India, Brazil, South Africa, and the United States, met on the margins of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi to reaffirm our shared commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation to deliver solutions for our shared world.
As the G20’s current and next three Presidencies, we will build on the historic progress of India’s G20 Presidency to address global challenges. In this spirit, together with the World Bank President, we welcome the G20’s commitment to build better, bigger, and more effective multilateral development banks. This commitment underscores what we can do, by working together through the G20, to support our people toward a better future.
PM Modi handed over G20 presidency to Brazil
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ceremonially handed over the G20 presidency to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva during the conclusion of the G20 Summit in Delhi on 10 September, 2023.
In the closing remarks on 10 September Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said “We pledge our unwavering support to Brazil and firmly believe that, during their leadership, the G-20 will further advance our common objectives. I congratulate President of Brazil and my friend, Lula da Silva. With that, I pass on the presidency gavel to him.”
Leaders of G20 nations pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at RajGhat
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi along with the leaders of G20 member nations paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at the iconic Rajghat in Delhi. He underlined that GandhiJi’s timeless ideals guide the collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future.
The Prime Minister posted on X: “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.”
@Dr. S. Jaishankar
The G20 Summit and its bilateral meetings concluded today (10 September) in New Delhi. The New Delhi Declaration shows that our Presidency was able to table ideas, shape global issues, bridge divides and forge consensus. We kept the focus on Global South. We showcased our civilizational heritage even as we highlighted contemporary achievements. Landmark initiatives launched included the Global Biofuel Alliance and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Key 5 outcomes :1. Green Development Pact
2. Action Plan on Sustainable Development Goals
3. High level principles on Anti Corruption
4. Support for Digital Public Infrastructure
5. Reform of Multilateral Development Banks
The G20 membership of the African Union was a major achievement.
PM @narendramodi’s vision gave the Summit a clear direction for growth and development in the years ahead.
G20 summit a big success: US
The US lauded India for hosting the G20 summit, calling it a big success and hailing the landmark ‘India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor’ which will usher in a new era of connectivity from Europe to Asia and will stimulate economic growth across the two continents.
During a press briefing on 11 September, 2023 the US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters,” It was a landmark India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that we believe will usher in a new era of connectivity from Europe to Asia that will stimulate economic growth, economic development across the two continents, as well as cooperation on energy and digital connectivity.”
“The memorandum of understanding is among the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, EU, and other G20 partners to explore a shipping and rail transportation corridor that will enable the flow of commerce, energy, and data from India, the Middle East, and Europe,” he said.
Miller said that the recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi was a big success. “We absolutely believe that it was a success,” he said.