The United Nations estimates some 300,000 people were affected by Friday night’s magnitude 6.8 quake, with most of the destruction and deaths in the High Atlas Mountains, where homes folded in on themselves and left residents trapped underneath the ruins.
Rescuers are battling to reach remote mountain towns devastated by the earthquake in Morocco, as the number of confirmed deaths from the disaster neared 2,900.
Search teams from the UK, Spain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were joining efforts to help find people buried under debris.
The United Nations estimates some 300,000 people were affected by Friday night’s magnitude 6.8 quake, which was made more dangerous by its relatively shallow depth.
Most of the destruction and deaths were in Al Haouz province in the High Atlas Mountains, where homes folded in on themselves and left residents trapped underneath the ruins.
Much of the quake zone is in hard-to-reach areas and roads have been blocked by rocks, making it hard for rescuers to access the worst-hit locations.
Authorities have not yet issued any estimates for the number of people missing.
The UK has sent a 60-person search team with four dogs, medical staff, listening devices and concrete-cutting gear.
The European Union said it was releasing an initial €1m (£858,000) to non-governmental aid organisations in Morocco.
A search worker stands among rubble in Talat N’yaaqoub, Morocco
Survivors spend three nights sleeping outside
Aftershocks have hit the quake zone, leading those left homeless to spend three nights sleeping on the streets of Marrakech or under makeshift canopies in devastated towns.
Survivors struggling to find shelter and supplies have criticised the government’s response, accusing it of being slow.
The army said it was reinforcing search-and-rescue teams, providing drinking water and distributing food, tents and blankets.
Abhay Thakur, Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Eenam Gambhi, and Ashish Sinha from the Ministry of External Affairs played pivotal roles in bringing the world leaders on the same page at G20. These diplomats faced a daunting challenge, enduring 200 hours of gruelling negotiations, resulting in the G20 Delhi Declaration.
4 Diplomats, 200 Hours Of Non-Stop Negotiations And Historic G20 Delhi Declaration
India’s G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, commends the tireless efforts of four dedicated diplomats who spearheaded the monumental task of securing 100% consensus among global leaders. These diplomats faced a daunting challenge, enduring 200 hours of gruelling negotiations, resulting in the G20 Delhi Declaration.
Behind closed doors, the Indian diplomatic team engaged in 300 bilateral meetings and circulated 15 draft proposals concerning the Ukraine conflict, a contentious issue among world leaders. The unwavering dedication of Indian foreign service diplomats bore fruit as consensus was achieved. Abhay Thakur, Nagaraj Naidu Kakanur, Eenam Gambhi, and Ashish Sinha from the Ministry of External Affairs played pivotal roles in bringing the world leaders on the same page at G20.
‘Grew up in India, studied in Indian institutes, haven’t done a single course abroad. 50% of success in life is luck. The rest is your hard work and the ability to capitalise on opportunity,’ says Banga
The World Bank Chief also expressed his dissatisfaction with the Washington-dominated world’
Ajay Banga, the current president of World Bank, told India Today that he’s “the perfect example of Made in India”.
In an interview with India Today News Director, Rahul Kanwal, Banga said that he grew up in India, studied in Indian institutes and hasn’t done a single course abroad.
“Fifty per cent of success in life is luck, the rest is your hard work and the ability to capitalise on opportunity,” he added.
Reforming Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) has been one of the key agenda points of India’s G20 Presidency and Banga is the man entrusted by US President Joe Biden to adapt the World Bank to be able to deal with China’s growing challenge to the old Washington-led global financial order.
During the conversation, the World Bank Chief also expressed his dissatisfaction with the “Washington-dominated world”.
“Fifty-five per cent of World Bank employees are outside of the US,” Banga said.
Speaking on his mission to reform the World Bank, Banga told India Today, “In the past three months, I’ve met several leaders and finance ministers from scores of countries, which gave me a clear perspective.”
“The roadmap for the evolution of the World Bank is to get a new vision and mission and to make it inclusive,” Banga said.
Clarity of vision, simplicity of speaking, management and measurement of what you want to achieve, and simple scorecards are all important steps that need to be taken for a successful transition, Banga said on the steps needed for the transition, in terms of what still needs to be achieved.
On geopolitics and China, Banga said, “The challenges of the world are very plentiful and the kind of financial energy required is much more than how much just one institution should want to dominate on,” he said.
“Yes, there is geopolitics and I do not deny it, but China is a shareholder and it does not take much money from us any longer,” the World Bank chief said, adding, “There’s a lot for the World Bank to work on (in climate change and healthcare), which can keep us occupied for the years to come.”
“I met US President Joe Biden and he was very clear about the leveragability of the resources of the bank. The US contribution enhances our earning capacity,” Banga said about Washington arranging more funds for the World Bank.
Earlier in the day, Rishi Sunak visited the Akshardham Temple in Delhi with his wife Akshata Murty and offered prayers.
A user shared the photo and called it “lovely” and “adorable”.
New Delhi: A picture of Rishi Sunak, down on one knee, speaking to his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Delhi is getting a lot of attention on the internet.
The picture, in internet speak, is viral.
A user on X, formerly twitter, shared the photo and captioned it, “Big man don’t have ego! Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of UK sat down on the floor to match the comfort – in a tetatete with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. #G20”
Big man don't have ego! Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of UK sat down on the floor to match the comfort – in a tetatete with with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. #G20pic.twitter.com/6oAbzuskbd
Slamming the Western media for criticizing India’s event, the Russian newspaper — The Russian Times (RT) vehemently stated that Western media has ‘double character’. The Russian Times asserted that India made world-class arrangements for the G20 Summit. It said that there can be minor flaws but the arrangements are worthy to be applauded.
Russian Newspaper tears into Western media for condemning India for its G20 preparedness.
While India’s G20 Presidency has been praised worldwide, Western nations have been pushing for strong condemnation in the G20 New Delhi Declaration and criticised India for its preparedness, on which, Russia, which has always backed India owing to its friendship, gave a befitting reply.
Slamming the Western media for criticizing India’s event, the Russian newspaper — The Russian Times (RT) vehemently stated that Western media has ‘double character’. The Russian Times asserted that India made world-class arrangements for the G20 Summit. It said that there can be minor flaws but the arrangements are worthy to be applauded.
The Russian Times (RT), while targeting the Western media, has said that India is hosting the G20, the organization of the world’s largest economies, for the first time in a grand manner. But the Western media is not focusing on these things and is publishing only negative news. “This is very unfortunate.”
In particular, Western journalists highlighted the beautification campaign carried out by Indian authorities to remove slums ahead of the summit. The Russian Times has argued that the Western media failed to acknowledge the hard work put in by Indian officials to ensure the success of the G20 Summit. The Russian Times also criticized Western journalists for their tendency to only seek out negative stories during the G20 summit.
“There is no talk of banning cryptocurrencies, indicating a global consensus against regulatory measures,” says Gopinath
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Deputy Managing Director of International Monetary Fund (IMF) Gita Gopinath at the Gala Dinner during the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam convention centre, in New Delhi
As India’s G20 presidency focuses on regulating crypto assets, among other key things, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has taken a pivotal role in shaping the global approach to this issue. In an exclusive interview with Business Today’s Executive Director Rahul Kanwal, the IMF’s Deputy Managing Director Gita Gopinath delved into the details of this initiative.
Gopinath began by highlighting the significance of this collaboration, emphasising that it’s not just about regulatory aspects but also macro-financial consequences. For the first time, the Financial Stability Board and the IMF have joined forces to address regulation of crypto assets comprehensively, recognising the need for a holistic perspective. The primary objective is to identify necessary policy actions that balance regulation and financial stability.
Regarding monetary issues, one key principle is not to legalise the use of crypto assets like Bitcoin as legal tender, as it could compromise monetary sovereignty. In terms of financial stability, the guidelines suggest licensing and registration for crypto asset issuers, with a focus on treating similar activities and risks consistently.
Gopinath stressed that while a common set of principles has been agreed upon, there is still work ahead to develop specific regulations. Importantly, “there is no talk of banning cryptocurrencies, indicating a global consensus against such measures”, she said.
However, Gopinath expressed concern about the varying positions countries have taken regarding crypto asset policies. While acknowledging the need for tailoring regulations to specific circumstances, they emphasized the broad principles that most countries have agreed upon.
“We call for the swift implementation of the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF) and amendments to the CRS [Common Reporting Standard]. We ask the Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes to identify an appropriate and coordinated timeline to commence exchanges by relevant jurisdictions,” stated a consensus declaration signed by G20 leaders.
When questioned about the timeline for implementing these principles into policy, Gopinath suggested that the crypto market will become less like the “Wild West” it has been, with improved data and transparency. Differentiation will occur based on whether crypto assets are used for speculative investments or payments.
Gita Gopinath on Indian economy
On the subject of the Indian economy, Gopinath emphasised India’s role as an engine of global growth, projecting over 6% growth for the current fiscal year. Public investment and resilient consumption spending have been driving forces. However, structural reforms are essential to sustain high levels of growth and attract private investment.
India will be the world’s third-largest economy by 2027-28. India will contribute 15% of global growth this year & will be a key driver of economic growth in the years to come, she said.
Gopinath highlighted the need for reforms in labour markets, state-level governance, ease of doing business, education quality, and female labour force participation. “These reforms are crucial to further boost India’s growth trajectory,” she added.
Addressing concerns about India’s economic growth figures, Gopinath stated, “There is no reason to doubt the credibility of the numbers. The IMF relies on various data sources and high-frequency data to make assessments.”
Brazilian president says Russian leader will be invited to the G20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Luiz Ignacio Lula da Silva, left, shakes hands with Vladimir Putin in Moscow, Russia, on May 14, 2010 [File: Alexei Druzhinin/Ria Novosti via Reuters]Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not be arrested in Brazil if he attends the Group of 20 meeting in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Lula, speaking to the Firstpost news show at the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Delhi on Saturday, said Putin would be invited to next year’s event.
He added that he himself planned to attend a BRICS bloc of developing nations meeting due in Russia before the Rio meeting.
“I believe that Putin can go easily to Brazil,” Lula said. “What I can say to you is that if I’m president of Brazil, and he comes to Brazil, there’s no way he will be arrested.”
The statement comes after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant against Putin in March, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.
Russia has denied its forces have engaged in war crimes or forcibly taken Ukrainian children.
Putin has repeatedly skipped international gatherings and was not present at the G20 get-together in Delhi, sending Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Brazil is a signatory to the Rome Statute which led to the founding of the ICC.
Lula’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On Saturday, the G20 nations adopted a consensus declaration that avoided condemning Russia for the war in Ukraine but called on all states not to use force to grab territory.
The consensus came as a surprise as the G20 is deeply divided over the war in Ukraine, with Western nations earlier pushing for strong condemnation of Russia in the Leaders’ Declaration, while others demanded a focus on broader economic issues.
India hosts G20 Summit in Delhi, adopts New Delhi Leadership Declaration, announces India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, and inducts African Union as permanent member.
An armed security personnel stands guard near a G20 India summit logo installed along a street in New Delhi on September 6, 2023, ahead of its commencement. (Photo by Tauseef MUSTAFA / AFP) (AFP)
India is hosting the 18th Group of 20 or G20 Summit in national capital Delhi. The G20 leaders saw a productive day 1 on Saturday, 9 September. The important decisions taken on the first day of the G20 Summit included adoption of the New Delhi Leadership Declaration, announcement of a mega India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor and induction of the African Union (AU) as permanent member of the Group of 20.
As the G20 leaders and a 170 guests gather at Bharat Mandapam on the dinner invite by President of India Droupadi Murmu, let’s take a look at what is on agenda for the second day of the G20 Summit.
The G20 Summit began at the Bharat Mandapam on Saturday and will conclude on Sunday.
G20 Summit Day 2 Agenda today (10 September 2023)
8:15 am to 9 am: The leaders and heads of the delegations will arrive at Rajghat in individual motorcades.
9:00 am to 9:20 am: The leaders will then lay a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi’s Samadhi. Also, a live performance of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional songs.
9:20 am: Leaders and Heads of Delegations will then move to Bharat Mandapam’s Leaders’ Lounge.
9:40 am to 10:15 am: Arrival of leaders and heads of delegation at Bharat Mandapam
10:15am–10:30am: Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam’s South Plaza
10:30 am–12:30 pm: The third session of the summit, called ‘One Future’, will take place at the venue, followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.
G20 Summit Day 1 ( 9 September 2023) Highlights India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor
Plans for an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor were unveiled on Saturday. This economic corridor of rail and shipping links aims to bolster trade between India, the Middle East and Europe, a modern-day Spice Route to bind regions that account for about a third of the global economy.
The US signed an agreement with India, Middle Eastern countries and the European Union aimed at connecting them via a network of railways and sea routes.
New Delhi Declaration adopted, call for peace in Ukraine
In a major breakthrough, the G20 adopted the New Delhi Leaders Summit Declaration. Asserting that “today’s era must not be of war”, the New Delhi Declaration of G20 countries on Saturday called on all states to uphold the principles of international law including territorial integrity and sovereignty and said the peaceful resolution of conflicts as well as diplomacy and dialogue are critical.
Notably, the G20 final statement, released a day before the summit formally closes, was less sharply worded over the war than one issued during last year’s meeting in Bali and didn’t mention Russia’s invasion directly.
The main aim of the rail project is to connect the Middle East with India and Europe and bypass China’s wide-ranging strategic infrastructure investments.
G20 Summit
In a major development, India, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, the EU, and the United States will sign an agreement for the mega project including rail, electricity and hydrogen pipeline on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
The main aim of the rail project is to connect the Middle East with India and Europe and bypass China’s wide-ranging strategic infrastructure investments, a US official said on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak to media.
If the deal is finalised, it would be a significant breakthrough in the relations between New Delhi, the Middle East, the United States and the European Union amid the fact these nations amount to major exports to the developing nations besides China.
Beijing owns a significant chunk of exports to Asian countries as it has one of the most efficient supply routes. Despite the current data claims that Beijing’s exports have dwindled for the fourth month in a row, developing nations are very much dependent on its products.
Earlier on Friday, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden held a bilateral meeting at the latter’s official residence, both leaders vowed to improve the connectivity and infrastructure.
The earthquake struck late on Friday – damaging homes in major cities and sending panicked people pouring into the streets. Many of the fatalities are said to be in hard-to-reach areas south of Marrakech.
At least 632 people have been killed and hundreds injured following a 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Morocco, state TV says.
Many of the fatalities are said to be in hard-to-reach areas south of Marrakech.
Many buildings have been reduced to rubble in Marrakech. Pic: Al Oula TV
The earthquake struck late on Friday – damaging buildings in major cities and sending panicked people pouring into the streets.
At least 329 people were injured and are being treated in hospital.
Witnesses in Marrakech, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, told the Reuters news agency that some buildings have collapsed. Big cracks were seen in a section of the medieval city’s walls.
Local television stations broadcast pictures of a fallen mosque minaret, with rubble lying on smashed cars. Others were seen screaming as they ran out of shopping centres and restaurants.
Officials are working to clear roads so ambulances and aid can reach those affected – but large distances between mountain villages mean it will take time to learn the full extent of the damage.
Montasir Itri, a resident in the mountain village of Asni not far from the epicentre, said most houses were damaged – adding: “Our neighbours are under the rubble and people are working hard to rescue them using available means in the village.”
G20 Summit Delhi 2023 Theme, Countries Members and Schedule Live Updates India: The summit will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organised in 60 cities across the country.
G20 Summit 2023 LIVE Updates: On Power-Packed G20 Platform, PM Modi Calls For ‘Sabka Saath-Sabka Vikas’
G20 Summit 2023 kickstarted with the welcome address by PM Narendra Modi. With ‘Bharat’ written on his nameplate, PM Narendra Modi began his welcome address by inviting the Head of the African Union to take his seat, as a permanent member of the G20.
In his welcome speech, PM Narendra Modi batted for ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’, and called for a global inclusion on the lines of the theme of G20 – Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam.
The G20 (Group of Twenty) comprises 19 individual countries and the European Union. These countries include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
As well as Saudi Arabia and India, key participants in the project will include the United Arab Emirates and the European Union.
This project “has enormous potential but exactly how long it takes, I don’t know,” US said
The United States, Saudi Arabia and others will sign a pact at the G20 to explore building a major railway and port project to connect the Middle East with India and Europe, US officials said Saturday.
Jon Finer, US Deputy National Security Advisor, said a memorandum of understanding would be inked to “explore a shipping and rail transportation (project) that will enable the flow of commerce, energy and data from here in India across the Middle East to Europe”.
As well as Saudi Arabia and India, key participants in the project will include the United Arab Emirates and the European Union, Finer told reporters in New Delhi.
The agreement comes with Washington actively engaging with the kingdom, encouraging it to normalise ties with Israel.
“This has been the result of months of careful diplomacy, quiet, careful diplomacy, bilaterally and in multilateral settings,” Finer added.
This project “has enormous potential but exactly how long it takes, I don’t know,” Finer added.
The agreement to discuss the project could be among the most tangible outcomes of the summit, with G20 leaders divided over Russia’s war in Ukraine and gridlocked on finding an agreement to slash carbon emissions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is giving a miss to G20 Summit in New Delhi. But if experts are to be believed, it might have more to do with Xi’s economic and political problems at home than China’s friction with India.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has recently been reprimanded by Communist Party elders over his policy decisions. (Image: AFP)
Chinese President Xi Jinping was born in the lap of luxury but, as his father was purged during China’s Cultural Revolution, a young Xi had to toil in the farms as a manual labourer in the countryside for 6 years. Those struggles would be nothing compared to the task the all-supreme leader now faces.
Xi is skipping the G20 Summit in New Delhi and experts have failed to pin-point the one big reason why China is sending Premier Li Qiang instead.
It is true that China’s relationship with India has been mostly frosty since the border clashes in May 2020. And it is also possible that the Chinese government decided to send Premier Li Qiang instead of President Xi to send out a signal. But the Chinese government has maintained that it was ready to work with all the parties for the global event’s success in New Delhi this week.
Also, Xi might not want to share the stage with the “tough crowd” at the G20. Many G20 member countries have “hardened their positions on China” in the last decade, said Paul Haenle, director of think-tank Carnegie China, adding, “It’s a tough crowd for Xi”.
What experts are also hinting at is that Xi Jinping’s skipping the India-hosted G20 event could be due to the mounting troubles in China itself. So, is Xi staying back home where the real trouble is?
Given Xi’s focus on domestic issues, he might be unwilling to travel abroad, Alfred Wu, said associate professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore.
“Xi Jinping is setting his own agenda where his top concern is national security and he has to stay in China and make foreign leaders visit him instead,” Wu told Reuters.
Wu says the over-emphasis on security is hurting China’s diplomatic ties and the attempt to rejuvenate its economy. China’s economy is in bad shape, and it is among Xi’s biggest headaches.
Amid the India-Bharat naming row, China has suggested that rather than focussing on name change, India should focus on comprehensive economic reforms and global influence.
China advices India on Bharat renaming row (Credits: PTI/FILE)
As New Delhi prepares for the G20 Summit amid the India-Bharat naming row, China has said India wants to use the event as an opportunity “to enhance the country’s international influence” and that the country should focus on more important things than the name.
China, through its mouthpiece Global Times, said, “What matters is whether India can comprehensively reform its economic system, which can be traced back to before 1947, when the nation became independent.”
“Without revolutionary reform, India cannot achieve revolutionary development,” the report stated.
A political storm erupted in the country after invitations for a G20 dinner were sent out on behalf of President Droupadi Murmu, describing her position as ‘President of Bharat’ instead of the customary ‘President of India’.
“Hopefully India can make good use of the increasing global attention it’s getting, and turn this influence into a driving force for growth,” China said.
“At a time when global attention is focused on the upcoming G20 summit, what does New Delhi want to express to the world?” China asked.
Further, the Chinese media said, “a name change reflects an effort to eliminate what it sees as colonial-era names.”
“The Modi administration has been one of the most ambitious governments in India in terms of economic reforms since 1991, when India started major reforms to liberalise its economy. Unfortunately, India is increasingly shifting toward trade protectionism,” the report stated.
“These are all more important than whether to change the country’s name,” the Xi Jinping-led country suggested.
Further, referring to India’s recent strict crackdown on some Chinese companies, the report stated, “India’s hesitancy in fully opening up its markets to the world is understandable, but post-1947 history tells us that every time India promotes reform and economic liberalization, it brings strong impetus to economic growth.”
Tight traffic regulations came into effect in the national capital from 5 am today and will continue till 11.59 pm on Sunday.
Stringent traffic curbs, schools shut, fighter jets for security, murals all across the town – New Delhi has pulled out all the stops to ensure a smooth G20 Summit on September 9 and 10.
Here are 10 points about the big story:
Tight traffic regulations came into effect in the national capital from 5 am today and will continue till 11.59 pm on Sunday. Police have said that ambulances, medicines and those working in other essential services will be allowed to move freely.
Vehicles of locals and tourists will also be permitted to move, but only in the area that they are staying in. Authorities have urged people not to visit India Gate and Kartavya Path for walking, cycling, or picnicking.
Schools, banks, and all government offices will remain shut to ease traffic. Borders to neighboring states will also be sealed.
Over 100,000 police and security personnel are expected to patrol the streets, with fighter jets, advanced AI-based cameras, jamming devices, and sniffer dogs at their disposal.
The Delhi Police will also keep a close watch on developments during the summit from its state-of-the-art control room with the help of a network of 5,000 CCTV cameras installed across the city, officials said.
The Summit will be attended by leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies and will witness discussions on some of the world’s most pressing problems like climate change and poverty.
US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi today and will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi ahead of the Summit.
Prominent issues that could feature during the meeting could be Ukraine, critical and emerging technology, and some of the deals that were announced like that of the drones with General Atomics and jet engines with General Electric.
India’s presidency strives to bridge divides, break barriers, and sow seeds of collaboration in a world where unity prevails over discord, wrote PM Modi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi(PIB)
Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — these two words capture a deep philosophy. It means the world is one family. This is an all-embracing outlook that encourages us to progress as one universal family, transcending borders, languages, and ideologies. During India’s G20 presidency, this translated into a call for human-centric progress. As One Earth, we came together to nurture our planet. As One Family, we support each other in the pursuit of growth. And we move together towards a shared future — One Future — which is an undeniable truth in these interconnected times.
The post-pandemic world order is very different from the one before it. There are three important changes, among others. First, there is a growing realisation that a shift away from a GDP-centric view of the world to a human-centric view is needed. Second, the world is recognising the importance of resilience and reliability in global supply chains. Third, there is a collective call for boosting multilateralism through the reform of global institutions. Our G20 presidency has played the role of a catalyst in these shifts.
In December 2022, when we took over the presidency from Indonesia, I wrote that a mindset shift must be catalysed by the G20. This was especially needed in the context of mainstreaming the marginalised aspirations of developing countries, the Global South and Africa.
The Voice of Global South Summit, which witnessed participation from 125 countries, was one of the foremost initiatives under our presidency. It was an important exercise to gather inputs and ideas from the Global South.
Further, our presidency has not only seen the largest ever participation from African countries but also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.
An interconnected world means our challenges across domains are interlinked. This is the midway year of the 2030 Agenda, and many are noting with great concern that the progress on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) is off-track. The G20 2023 Action Plan on Accelerating Progress on SDGs will spearhead the future direction of the G20 towards implementing SDGs.
India, which is heading the group this year, has pulled out all the stops, deploying drones around the national capital, painting murals at underpasses.
New Delhi: Leaders from the Group of 20 (G20) major economies will assemble in New Delhi to try to find solutions to some of the world’s pressing problems amid a deep geopolitical divide over the war in Ukraine that threatens progress on several global fronts.
India, which is heading the group this year, has pulled out all the stops, deploying drones around the national capital, painting murals, and chasing away monkeys using large-scale langur cutouts.
Here’s a look at the major leaders attending the G20 Summit in New Delhi and where they will be putting up
Joe Biden
US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi and will be staying at the ITC Maurya. He will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday and is expected to discuss clean energy transition and climate change at the Summit.
Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak will attend the G20 Summit during his first official trip to India as Britain’s Prime Minister. He will stay at the Shangri La hotel.
Ahead of the summit, the 43-year-old praised PM Modi’s leadership and said India was the “right country at the right time”.
China delegation
Premier Li Qiang will lead China’s delegation, effectively indicating President Xi Jinping will not attend, scuppering chances of a meeting with Biden. This will be the first time that a Chinese president has missed a G20 leaders’ summit since the first edition was held in 2008, though in 2020 and 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Xi attended virtually.
The delegation will be staying at Delhi’s Taj Hotel.
Justin Trudeau
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be travelling to Indonesia to participate in the ASEAN summit before arriving in New Delhi for the G20 Summit on Saturday and Sunday. He will be staying at The Lalit Hotel
The US, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have been nudging New Delhi to try and convince Moscow to revive the grain deal, even as Monday’s meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan failed to restore the agreement.
Humayun’s Tomb illuminated displaying the logo of G20 Summit 2023.
Negotiations for reviving the Black Sea grain deal are likely to continue on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend as a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan failed to restore the agreement brokered by the United Nations.
The West, led by the United States, is likely to use the G20 summit forum to criticise Russia for withdrawing from the grain deal and further aggravating global food insecurity, triggered by Moscow’s military aggression against Ukraine – particularly in Africa and Asia.
The US, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have been nudging New Delhi to try and convince Moscow to revive the grain deal – not only because India holds the rotating presidency of the G20 and will host its annual summit on Saturday and Sunday, but also because India’s decades-old strategic partnership with Russia remained undisturbed by the geopolitical churning triggered by the war in Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden will travel to India on September 7, two days before the G20 Summit commences in New Delhi. (Image: Reuters)
US President Joe Biden has tested negative for Covid-19 and will travel to India on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit in New Delhi, the White House said on Tuesday.
The US president will also have a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The announcement comes a day after First Lady Jill Biden tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.
Biden will also be abiding by the CDC guidelines, and will only remove his mask when he is socially distanced from others.
#WATCH | "On Thursday, the President will travel to New Delhi in India to attend the G20 Leaders' summit. On Friday, President Biden will participate in a bilateral with India's Prime Minister Modi. Sunday, the President will participate in official sessions of G20 summit…",… pic.twitter.com/wuh04cVwIX
“The US President will travel to India on Thursday to attend the G20 Summit,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan told a press conference at the White House.
President Biden will participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Modi. Biden will participate in the official sessions of the G20 Summit on Saturday and Sunday, he added.
At the G20 Summit, Biden will call for a “just and durable peace” for Ukraine, the White House said.
India, President of the G20, will host global leaders for the Summit scheduled to take place on September 9 and 10 in New Delhi. During the Summit, Biden will commend Modi for his leadership of the G20, the White House said.
On Saturday (September 9) and Sunday (September 10), the President will participate in the G20 summit, where he and G20 partners will discuss a range of joint efforts to tackle global issues, including the clean energy transition and combatting climate change.
They will also mitigate the economic and social impacts of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine, and increase the capacity of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, to better fight poverty, including by addressing global challenges, the White House said.
While in New Delhi, the President will also commend Prime Minister Modi’s leadership of the G20 and reaffirm the US commitment to the G20 as the premier forum of economic cooperation, including by hosting it in 2026, it said.
File Photo: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron speak during a meeting of the European Political Community at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, Moldova June 1, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters Photo
Like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada, President Emmanuel Macron of France too has spoken to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine over the phone – days before travelling to New Delhi to attend the G20 summit, which has come under the long shadow of Russia’s military aggression against the East European nation.
Zelenskyy posted on a social media platform that he and Macron had a phone call on Sunday and discussed France’s military support for Ukraine. Macron also promised Zelenskyy that France would play an active role in promoting the peace formula proposed by Ukraine to end Russia’s war.
Macron will travel to New Delhi this week to attend the G20 summit, which will be hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He is the third G20 leader to dial Zelenskyy just before attending the summit of the premier forum for international economic cooperation. Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently had phone calls with the president of Ukraine.
Apart from the heads of states and heads of governments of the 19 G20 nations and the European Union, India has also invited the leaders of nine other nations to the summit.
The Modi government, however, resisted pressure from the West and did not include the president of Ukraine in the list of “special invitees”, ostensibly to avoid annoying Russia, which shares a “special and privileged strategic partnership” with India.
Zelenskyy had addressed the G20 leaders through video-link during the intergovernmental forum’s 17th summit, which had been held at Bali in Indonesia in November of 2022. He had presented his peace formula during his address to the summit, which Russian President Vladimir Putin had not attended.
Air India officials announced that the airline will provide a one-time waiver on date/flight changes from September 7 to 11. Similar to this, IndiGo will also provide consumers the choice of taking the readjusted flights or getting a refund, according to its executives.
Flight commuters flying to and from Delhi are most likely to experience travelling-related issues from September 8 to 10 due to G20 Summit’s VVIP arrival’s heavy movement which will certainly cause delays in take-off and landing, official sources informed on Monday. Additionally, a number of flights including some international ones, will experience delays during the Summit days. According to official sources, over 150 flights have been cancelled.
How many flights were cancelled?
In late August, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) spokesperson told ANI, “So far, we have received requests for cancellation of approximately 80 departing and 80 arriving domestic flights over 3 days, respectively.”
“The biggest impact on flight movements will be on Friday, when dignitaries from various countries will fly into the city, and on Sunday, when they will depart IGI Airport,” an official said.
Another official further informed that all dignitaries will be given the VVIP treatment and regulations will be adhered respectively, “A separation of around 2,000 nautical miles of their aircraft will be maintained from other civil aircraft. They will also be given priority landing which may cause delays in the civil aircraft movements,” the officials informed.
With the G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Delhi on September 9 and 10, there have been speculations about the possibility of a lockdown in the national capital. However, Delhi Police has officially clarified that there will be no lockdown during the G20 Summit, which will be held at Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre (Pragati Maidan).
Delhi Police suggested residents of the New Delhi area use the Delhi Metro during the summit. According to Delhi Police, which is the nodal agency for security arrangements for the G20 Summit, New Delhi will be a controlled zone, but there will be no lockdown.
“Will there be a lockdown in Delhi during the #G20Summit? NO. New Delhi District will be a ‘Controlled Zone’, but bona fide residents of the area will be allowed passage. Metro and essential services will operate normally” tweeted Delhi Police.
Will there be a lockdown in Delhi during the #G20Summit ?
NO. New Delhi District will be a 'Controlled Zone', but bonafide residents of the area will be allowed passage. Metro and essential services will operate normally.@ssyips#G20SummitDelhiFAQspic.twitter.com/8d0fu9afXp
U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders’ summit in Bali, Indonesia, November 14, 2022. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Sunday that he was disappointed that Chinese President Xi Jinping was not attending the summit of G20 leaders in India, but added that he was going to “get to see him.”
“I am disappointed … but I am going to get to see him,” Biden told reporters in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, without elaborating.
Biden will visit India from Sept. 7-10 for a summit of the Group of 20 nations, followed by a trip to Vietnam as his administration seeks to strengthen U.S. relations in Asia.
Xi is likely to skip the summit and Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent Beijing at the meeting in New Delhi, sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.
Asked if he was looking forward to his trip, Biden said, “Yes, I am.”
“I want a little more … coordination. I think they both (India and Vietnam) want much closer relations with the United States and that can be very helpful,” Biden said.
The Exercise will take place close to the borders of Pakistan and China at the time when India would be hosting the biggest International event, the G-20 Summit between 8-10 September in New Delhi. The exercise scheduled ahead of the G20 Summit will witness the participation of major fleets of fighter aircraft including the Rafale, Mirage 2000 and the Su-30MKIs.
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force will be conducting a major air exercise in the Northern Sector between September 4 -14. The exercise named Trishul will involve almost all components of Air Force’s fighting and transport fleet. The Exercise will take place close to the borders of Pakistan and China at the time when India would be hosting the biggest International event, the G20 Summit between 8-10 September in New Delhi. The exercise scheduled ahead of the G20 Summit will witness the participation of major fleets of fighter aircraft including the Rafale, Mirage 2000 and the Su-30MKIs.
Heavy-lift transport aircraft and choppers including the Chinooks and Apache will also take part in the military drills. Garud Special Forces are also part of the drills where all elements of air power are likely to be exercised. The Indian Airforce conducts these training exercises to enhance the combat capabilities regularly at various command and inter-command levels. Exercise Trishul will involve all major air bases including Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Punjab.
By releasing the so-called standard map of China, Beijing wants to teach India a lesson for rejecting normalization of ties until border issues are sorted out.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping.
On the eve of India hosting the G20 summit in New Delhi, China released a so-called “standard map” coopting parts of eastern Ladakh as per the rejected 1959 line and Arunachal Pradesh in the Middle Kingdom apart from Taiwan and the South China Sea.
This cartographic expansion by Beijing duly amplified by Chinese propaganda through social media was immediately rebutted and rejected by the Modi government as Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India and parts of Aksai Chin were occupied by Mao’s China in the 1950s even before the disastrous 1962 war. While India was signing the Panchsheel Agreement in 1954, China was building a highway linking occupied Tibet with occupied Sinkiang (called Xinjiang) through Aksai Chin with the then government rather oblivious to the facts.
The timing of the release of the map by China clearly has ominous portends as it poses serious questions on whether President Xi Jinping is inclined to attend the G20 summit in the Indian capital or has other plans. We are told that China releases the standard map every year but it is the first time that India has lodged a serious protest with Beijing, rejecting the territorial claims of the Middle Kingdom.
The larger question is why did Beijing release the so-called standard map and get it amplified by its propaganda media through social media platforms ? The answer lies in the recently concluded BRICS summit in Johannesburg, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a brief interaction with President Xi Jinping at the leaders’ lounge of the summit. It is understood that China wanted a bilateral meeting with India on the sidelines of the summit and push for normalization of ties without conceding an inch on the pending problems of Depsang Bulge and Demchok in Eastern Ladakh. Given the schedule restraints of PM Modi, the formal meeting between the two leaders could not take place and was limited to a brief interaction only. Even during the brief interaction, PM Modi raised his concerns over the border issue, clearly indicating that the road to normalization of ties goes through disengagement and de-escalation on the East Ladakh border and resolution of the remaining two friction points.
G20 Summit: Dog Sqaud on Tuesday conducted mock drills at event venues. (PTI)
G20 Summit: Indian security agencies have made elaborate security measures as international delegates of major global economies are set to arrive in New Delhi for the upcoming G20 meet.
Delhi Police and other paramilitary units, deployed especially to ensure security at the G20 Summit, Artificial Intelligence (AI) based cameras, software alarms and drones will be used to monitor the movement and ensure foolproof protection at the summit’s venues.
According to an India Today report, such security measures have been put in place to track any unsuspicious movement and if anyone is caught climbing walls or making unusual movements like running or bending down, AI cameras will alert the security personnel.
G20 SUMMIT: DEPLOYMENT OF SNIPERS IN VENUES
For additional security, National Security Guard (NSG) commandos and Army snipers will be deployed in high-rise buildings during the G20 Summit.
Apart from that, teams from international security intelligence agencies, including the CIA from the US, MI-6 from the United Kingdom, and MSS from China, had also already arrived in Delhi to make security arrangements for their respective delegates, India Today reported.
The NSG will also be working closely with the Indian Air Force, Air Traffic Control (ATC) and other agencies to neutralise the potential rogue drone threats during the summit.
G20 SUMMIT: ‘SPECIAL 50’ TEAM
A “Special 50″ team comprising around 1,000 security personnel, who have experience in VIP security, has been prepared by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The Dog Squad of the Delhi Police on Tuesday conducted mock drills to detect dummy explosives planted in luggage, vehicles and packages.
G20 SUMMIT: SCHEDULE
The G-20 world leaders’ summit is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. The summit is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of world leaders in India. India assumed the G-20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, from Indonesia.
Acknowledging the potential inconveniences that the residents of Delhi might encounter due to the upcoming G20 summit taking place in the city next month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday appealed to the people to actively contribute towards the success of the event.
Scheduled for September 9 to 10, the summit is set to take place in the national capital and is anticipated to draw attendance from over 30 heads of state, senior officials representing the European Union, invited guest countries and 14 leaders of international organizations.
Speaking at a public reception upon his return from a two-nation tour, Modi also preemptively asked for forgiveness from the public regarding any inconvenience they could encounter as a result of the preparations for the G20 Summit.
”The entire country is the host of the G20 Summit, but guests are coming to Delhi. The residents of Delhi have a special responsibility to make the G20 Summit a success. They have to ensure that the reputation of the nation is not affected one bit,” said Modi.
He recognized that the citizens of Delhi could experience inconvenience due to changes in traffic regulations.
”From September 5 to September 15, there will be a lot of inconvenience, and I apologise for that in advance. These are our guests, traffic rules will be changed, you will be stopped from going to several places but some things are necessary,” the prime minister said.
”The residents of Delhi have got a greater responsibility for the G20. You have the responsibility to ensure that the national tricolour continues to fly high with pride,” he said.
Earlier today, the Prime Minister came back to Delhi from trips to South Africa and Greece, making a short stop in Bengaluru to visit ISRO and congratulate scientists on Chandrayaan-3’s success.
Access to New Delhi will be restricted during the G20 Summit from September 8-10, with only residents and essential service workers allowed entry. Participants include Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, and Justin Trudeau.
New Delhi, India – August 25, 2023: Preparations underwent ahead of G20 Summit near Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, India, on Friday, August 25, 2023. (Photo by Sanchit Khanna/ Hindustan Times)
During the G20 Summit days, access to the national capital will undergo significant limitations, particularly within the New Delhi district, often referred to as the Lutyens’ Zone.
According to a traffic plan released by the Delhi Police, entry will be restricted exclusively to residents and essential service workers who can verify their identities.
These measures will be in effect from September 8 to 10, with the most stringent regulations enforced during the last two days.
Anticipated and verified participants include Joe Biden, the President of the United States; Xi Jinping, the Premier of China; Emmanuel Macron, the President of France; and Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada. Additionally, thousands of individuals have received invitations to attend as delegates, government representatives, and other esteemed figures.
The imposed limitations have been categorized into two types: controlled and regulated zones. The initial district of New Delhi has been designated as Controlled Zone 1. Specific areas like Vikas Marg leading to ITO, roads in proximity to the Red Fort, and the vicinity surrounding the city’s primary train stations have been grouped into Controlled Zone 2, due to their proximity to the event venue.
The area covered by the Ring Road will be considered the Regulated Zone, as stated by Surender Singh Yadav, the special commissioner of police (traffic). He further mentioned that a dedicated helpdesk will be introduced on the Delhi Police website. This helpdesk will provide information about accessible transportation options and medical facilities during the event.
The Delhi Police had requested Delhi Chief Secretary to declare a public holiday on these three days for G-20 Summit in New Delhi and order commercial and business establishments to remain closed in ‘controlled zones’.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved the proposal, which will now be sent to Delhi LG.
The Delhi government will close all the schools, offices, and NDMC market areas from September 8 to 10 due to G-20 Summit. The Delhi Police had requested Delhi Chief Secretary to declare a public holiday on these three days for G-20 Summit in New Delhi and order commercial and business establishments to remain closed in ‘controlled zones’.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has approved the proposal, which will now be sent to Delhi LG.
India Today reported that September 7 is a gazetted holiday while September 9 is the second Saturday, so only September 10, Friday will be off for schools.
All schools, and government offices including MCD offices will be closed on these dates.
The decision is taken keeping the VIP movements and route arrangements. The main concern is that common people shouldn’t face any undue problems in commuting due to these restrictions.
All private offices and institutions will also remain closed during this period. Banks and financial institutions under Delhi Police’s New Delhi district will remain closed. Shops and commercial establishments in Delhi Police’s New Delhi district will also remain closed, which has already been marked by the administration.
Schools and colleges may be advised to move to online mode and offices could be asked to be on work from home between September 8 and 11 in view of the mega G20 event.
G20 Summit: Delhi Schools, Colleges And Offices May Remain Closed On THESE Dates
New Delhi: Schools and offices in Delhi may remain closed or go online for the four days of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi scheduled in September. According to reports, schools and colleges may be advised to move to online mode and offices could be asked to be on work from home between September 8 and 11 in view of the mega event. An advisory may soon be issued regarding allowing only essential travel and activities for these four-day period.
Speaking to the Indian Express, Bharat Arora, president of the private schools association said, “Private schools in Delhi extend their support to the Government of India’s efforts in hosting the prestigious G20 Leaders’ Summit. It is a big moment for our country. As our city welcomes global leaders, private schools stand united in ensuring a seamless event. In line with safety measures, we’re prepared to adopt online learning during September 8-11, contributing to the success of this momentous occasion. We extend our best wishes for a successful G20.”
The G20 summit will be held in the Bharat Mandapam convention center at Delhi next month. The movements of vehicles may be restricted in some areas and people are likely to be permitted for only essential travel and activities for the four-day period. There will be thousands of individuals in the G20 members’ entourage, so the government is preparing to take essential measures to ensure smooth traffic-free mobility for them across the city.
Heavy Traffic Restriction Areas
Satya Marg, Shanti Path, Niti Marg, Kautilya Marg, Sardar Patel Marg, Mother Teresa Crescent, Teen Murti Marg, Janpath, Kartavya Path, C-Hexagon, Purana Qila Road, Akbar Road, Ashoka Road, Subramaniam Bharti Marg and Lodhi Road will see heavy traffic restrictions,” an official said.
Hawkers will not be allowed to set up their stalls in Lutyens’ Delhi during the Summit, the official added.
