Tag: G20

African Union Prez Azali G20

African Union Prez Azali Arrives In Delhi For G20 Summit

By LokMarg

President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani on Friday arrived here in the national capital to attend the G20 summit being hosted by India this year.

Assoumani was received by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Railways, Raosaheb Danve at the New Delhi airport.

In June 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a bold step in taking Africa’s voice on the international stage and shaping the future of the shared world, adding that he has written to G20 counterparts to provide the African Union with full membership at this G20 Summit.

PM Modi has proposed that the African Union, a bloc of 55 countries from the African continent that was launched in 2002, be given full membership on their request.

Prime Minister Modi firmly advocates and supports the Africa cause and has led from the front in this matter. India believes this will be the right step towards a just, fair, more inclusive and representative global architecture and governance.

Prime Minister Modi is also a strong believer in holding a greater voice of the Global South countries on international platforms, particularly of African countries. As part of India’s G20 Presidency, he has particularly focused on incorporating priorities of the African countries in the G20 agenda.

More recently, in an editorial that has been published across newspapers, PM Modi wrote “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 has also pushed for the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20.”

On Thursday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also said that he would be very happy to see the inclusion of the African Union as a member in the G20.

India is hosting the G20 Leader’s Summit in the national capital at the newly inaugurated Bharat Mandapam on September 9-10.

The summit is being attended by more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union and invited guest countries and 14 heads of international organisations. (ANI)

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One Earth One Family One Future

‘One Earth One Family One Future’ A Perfect Theme For G20: Mauritius PM

By LokMarg

Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth hailed India’s G20 Presidency and said that there couldn’t have been a better them for the summit than ‘One Earth, One Family and One Future’, which translates to ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.

He also thanked India and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inviting Mauritius as a Guest Country at the G20 Summit and affirmed contributing at the summit.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, Jugnauth said, “I must thank the government of India, particularly Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for having invited Mauritius as a Guest Country to attend this G20 Summit. Mauritius is very honoured and privileged to be participating. We have contributed throughout the year and we are going to contribute to this Summit. This is being held at a very critical juncture because we have been facing the COVID-19 pandemic. We were at a situation when the whole world was at its knees. On top of that, it is being compounded now with this conflict in Ukraine. We also see the effects of climate change”.

“So, it is important for a summit like this one all the countries to sit down and see how we can bounce back. I think there is a need for us to be resilient, there is a need to review our policies in view of the lessons that we can draw from those events,” he added.

He further said that amid the ongoing conflicts in Africa and Ukraine, and issues like climate change, the issues being put up by India under its presidency are very pertinent.

“I think there could not have been a better theme that has been chosen by India – One Earth, One Family and One Future – which is drawn from the Sanskrit phase of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. I think this is pertinent more so when we look at the effect of climate change because what one country does, not only affects that country but also the whole world. That is why, we have to reflect collectively and we have to act collectively,” the Prime Minister said.

He added, “Each one of us has a duty to save the planet and save the whole population. I am happy to see that India has taken this very inclusive approach and to try to get everybody on board. There have been a number of meetings before the summit, and there have been a lot of proposals and ideas that have been edited. I am very confident that we are going to make progress”.

Earlier in the day, Mauritius PM Jugnauth arrived at the New Delhi Airport on Thursday for the G20 Summit, which will be held here in the national capital from September 9-10. He was received at the Airport by Shripad Naik Union Minister of State for Ports, and Shipping. (ANI)

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Pankaj Saran

Xi’s Absence Is Going To Be His Loss: Pankaj Saran

By LokMarg

Former Deputy NSA and Ambassador Pankaj Saran said that the absence of China’s President from the G20 Summit, which is being held under India’s presidency in New Delhi, is “Xi Jinping’s loss”.

Chinese President Xi Jinping will not be attending the G20 Summit rather the delegation will be led by the country’s Premier Li Qiang, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced.

“So far as the Chinese case is concerned, the President should have come. I think his absence is going to be his loss, but he is sending his prime minister. So we will see,” he said. 

Notably, the G20, which represents 80 per cent of the world’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product), 75 per cent of global trade and 2/3rd of the global population, is one of the most influential forum for global governance

 “We hope that China will participate as an equal, constructive and positive participant of G20 because China’s role in the global economy is important,” he added. 

Earlier this week, Quoting foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China statement read, “At the invitation of the government of the Republic of India, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend the 18th G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi, India, on September 9 and 10.”

However, no reason was given in the statement about Xi’s absence from the summit.

Former Deputy NSA Saran further stressed that apart from the countries’ leaders who are not coming for G20, India should also note the presence of other countries like Mauritius, Bangladesh and a few other nations. 

“I don’t think we should read too much into the attendance, because on the one hand, you have some people not coming, but on the other hand, you have a lot of other invitees who are coming, the guests of the Indian presidency, such as Mauritius, Bangladesh and a few other countries. So it’s a balance,” he added. 

Moreover, he said that since the beginning, the Indian presidency has also said ‘One World, One Earth, One Future’, or ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, highlighting that India wants to reduce global tensions. 

“We want to bring everyone together because the world today is badly fractured. It is a tense world. The current international order is under strain, very severe strain. The global economic outlook is not good. So there are so many challenges. If this presidency and this summit can help to contribute to improving the overall atmosphere then we have done our job,” he said. 

Earlier noting that Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence will not cast a shadow on the G20 Summit, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said there have been presidents or Prime Ministers who for some reason have chosen not to come for global meetings and that country’s position is reflected by the representative present on the occasion.

“I do not think it has anything to do with India. I. I think whatever decision they make, they would know best,” Jaishankar said. 

In August, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Xi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit during which he highlighted India’s concerns over the unresolved issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), in Ladakh.

The two leaders agreed to direct their relevant officials “to intensify efforts at expeditious disengagement and de-escalation”. (ANI)

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G20 Summit Union Ministers

G20 Summit: Union Ministers Assigned Responsibilities To Receive Foreign Delegates

By LokMarg

As the national capital has been decked up royally to welcome foreign delegates for the G20 summit, the Centre has assigned responsibilities to different Union ministers of state to welcome the dignitaries, according to sources.

A presentation regarding the same was given to the council of ministers and MOS by the foreign secretary, sources told ANI.

US President Joe Biden will be received by Minister of State VK Singh on September 8 at 6.55 pm (tentative time) while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be received by MOS Ashwini Choubey at 1.40 pm.

Further, according to sources, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be received by MOS Darshana Jardosh at 12:30 pm while MoS Choubey will also receive Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at 2.15 pm.

The Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, will be received by MOS Shobha Karadlaje at 6:20 am, sources informed further.

China’s Premier Li Qiang will be received by MOS Gen (retd.) VK Singh at 7.45 pm while UAE President HH Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan will be received by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai as he arrives in the national capital at 8 pm. 

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will arrive at 6.15 pm and he will be received by Union Minister of State Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

The heads of state of Germany and France will arrive on September 9. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be arriving at 8 am and he will be received by MOS Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma.

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive at 12:35 pm and he will be received by MOS Anupriya Patel.

The countries taking part in the G20 Summit include Nigeria, Argentina, Italy, the AU (represented by Comros), and South Africa. Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea, Egypt, Australia, the United States, Canada, China, the U.A.E, Brazil, Indonesia, Turkey Spain, Germany, France, Mauritius, the European Union, and Singapore. (ANI)

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Security Checks Delhi G20 Summit

Security Checks Underway In Delhi For Upcoming G20 Summit

By LokMarg

Preparations and security checks are underway in Delhi for the upcoming G20 Summit that is scheduled to be held here on September 9-10.

Security checks were carried out at Raj Ghat on Thursday morning. Security personnel along with sniffer dogs conducted security checks near the Mahatma Gandhi memorial. 

During the two-day summit, several dignitaries are scheduled to visit Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi.

New Delhi Airport is all set to welcome the guests and delegates of the G20 Summit, with facilities like the international ceremonial lounge, special immigration counters, waterfalls, expressive hoardings and illuminated G20 logos.

Global leaders such as US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many others leaders will arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport to attend the G20 summit on September 9 and 10 at Bharat Mandapam.

Delhi airport operator DIAL has prepared ceremonial lounges to receive the heads of state and other VIPs, and government officials. Special corridors have been prepared for the entry and exit of foreign dignitaries, aiming to ensure a seamless and exceptional experience.

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 organized in 60 cities across the country. (ANI)

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Joe Biden In Delhi

Biden To Arrive In Delhi Tomorrow

By LokMarg

US President Joe Biden will arrive in New Delhi on Friday and is scheduled to hold a bilateral with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the White House informed.

Beginning Friday, Biden has a packed schedule for three days. After he departs from the US, he will arrive in Ramstein,Germany on Friday for a brief stop over and will arrive in New Delhi the same day.

The US President is scheduled to participate in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, according to a White House press release.

On Saturday, Biden will participate in an official arrival and handshake with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The US President will then participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 1: “One Earth”.

Later in the day, he is slated to take part in the G20 Leaders’ Summit Session 2: “One Family” of the G20. Biden will also participate in a Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment event. His day will wrap with a dinner and cultural program with G20 Leaders.

On Sunday, the US President will visit Raj Ghat Memorial along with other G20 Leaders.

Biden is then scheduled to travel from New Delhi to Hanoi, Vietnam.

There, he will participate in a welcome ceremony hosted by General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Biden will participate in a meeting with General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The US President and General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng of the Communist Party of Vietnam will deliver remarks, following which Biden will hold a press conference, the White House said.

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to hold a discussion on the agenda of G20, particularly the economic cooperation and multilateral investment opportunities, that stand before it and can be on the American leader’s strong desire to see multilateral development bank reform and reshaping, a White House official said.

John Kirby, National Security Council (NSC) coordinator for strategic communications, also pointed out that there is very little possibility that PM Modi and President Biden will discuss on climate and the ongoing Ukraine war.

India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit in New Delhi will be a culmination of all the G20 processes and meetings held throughout the year among ministers, senior officials, and civil societies.

A G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted at the conclusion of the New Delhi Summit, stating leaders’ commitment towards the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working group meetings. (ANI)

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Delhi Metro Rail Corporation WPL Finals

Delhi Metro Services To Begin From 4 am During G20 Summit

By LokMarg

Ahead of the G20 Summit, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Wednesday announced that from September 8-10, train services will begin at 4 am.

“For the upcoming G-20 Summit to be held in Delhi on 9th and 10th September 2023, the Delhi Metro train services will start from 04:00 AM from terminal stations of all Lines for three days that is from 8th to 10th September 2023,” DMRC said in a statement.

The metro trains will run with a frequency of 30 minutes on all lines till 6 am and after 6 am, metro trains will run as per the normal timetable throughout the day on all lines.

“All Metro stations will remain open for the general public during this period (September 8-10) except Supreme Court Metro Station where no boarding/deboarding of passengers will be allowed on September 9-10 due to security constraints,” said Anuj Dayal, Principal Executive Director, Corporate Communications, DMRC.

“However, as and when directed by the security agencies, entry/exit at some stations may be regulated for a brief period in the New Delhi district on the 9th and 10th of September to facilitate the movement of VVIP delegations,” DMRC said.

Dayal said, “Parking at all Metro stations will also continue to remain available as usual except for three Metro stations falling in the New Delhi district. Parking at these three stations namely, Supreme Court, Patel Chowk and Rama Krishna Ashram Marg will remain closed from 4 am of September 8 till 12 PM of September 11.”

In view of this prestigious G-20 summit being held in the national capital, Delhi Metro also appeals to its passengers to extend all possible cooperation in the smooth running of the Metro services and follow the instructions of station staff and guidelines issued by the authorities from time to time without falling prey to rumours.

For regular updates regarding Metro services, passengers are advised to follow DMRC’s official social media handles @officialDMRC on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram including the ‘Delhi Metro Rail’ App and website www.delhimetrorail.com. Passengers are also advised to use the ‘DMRC Travel’ App for instant booking of QR tickets for travel in Metro eliminating the need to go to ticket counters/stand in queue. (ANI)

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar

Jaishankar Meets Indonesian FM, Discusses EAS, G20 Summit

By LokMarg

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as he arrived in Jakarta to attend the ASEAN Summit on Wednesday. 

EAM Jaishankar’s meeting with his Indonesia Counterpart was focused on the East Asia Summit and G20 summit which is being hosted by India this year, informed the Indian Minister’s post on X. 

Taking to X, Jaishankar said, “Arrived in Jakarta to attend ASEAN Summit-related meetings. Delighted to meet my friend @Menlu_RI again. Our discussions focused on the East Asia Summit and the G20 Summit.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Indonesia to attend the 20th ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) on Wednesday.

PM Modi will leave for Indonesia on Wednesday (September 6) evening and will return to New Delhi late in the evening on the following day.

The Prime Minister will be in Jakarta at the invitation of the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo. Both the ASEAN-India Summit and the 18th East Asia Summit (EAS) will take place on September 7 (Thursday).

Indonesia, the current chair of ASEAN, made adjustments to the schedule for both summits to facilitate Modi’s early return. PM Modi’s visit to Indonesia comes ahead of the G20 Summit to be held in New Delhi on September 9-10 under India’s Presidency this year.

Indonesia is part of the G20 ‘troika’ as it had the presidency of the grouping last year.

The forthcoming ASEAN-India Summit will be the first Summit since the elevation of ties between India and the Association of South East Asian Nations bloc of countries to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

The foreign ministry said that the the Summit will review the progress of India-ASEAN relations and chart the future direction of cooperation.

This year the ASEAN Summit will be chaired by Indonesia under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth.” This theme indicates that Indonesia expects the ASEAN to be relevant and significant as the centre of economic growthAccording to a statement, the East Asia Summit would provide an opportunity for leaders of ASEAN countries and its eight dialogue partners, including India, to exchange views on issues of regional and global significance.

In August, ASEAN-India Economic Ministers met in Indonesia and the main agenda of this year’s meeting was the timely review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) which was signed in 2009.

A joint committee agreed to a regular, quarterly schedule of negotiations, which would conclude the review of the ASEAN-India FTA in 2025.

In 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Jakarta at the invitation of Indonesian President Widodo. During this visit, both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in all areas by establishing a New Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to take the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and India into a new era. (ANI)

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G20 Summit India

G20 Summit: India To Provide UPI Experience To Delegates

By LokMarg

Taking India’s G20 Presidency as an opportunity to showcase the country’s digital public goods to the world and its ‘Digital India’ initiative, the central government has decided to provide hands-on experiences to around 1,000 visiting foreign delegates with UPI wallets technology, besides explaining them about ease of making payments through the indigenous solution.

“Foreign delegates or participants will be given Rs 500-1,000 in their UPI wallets for doing UPI transactions,” a government official told ANI, adding it has earmarked around Rs 10 lakhs for it.

Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is India’s mobile-based fast payment system, which facilitates customers to make round-the-clock payments instantly, using a Virtual Payment Address (VPA) created by the customer.

UPI payment system has become hugely popular for retail digital payments in India, and its adoption is increasing at a rapid pace.

India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing ecosystems for fintech innovation and the government and the central bank have been instrumental in driving the globalisation of India’s digital payment infrastructure. A key emphasis of the Indian government has been on ensuring that the benefits of UPI are not limited to India only, but other countries, too, benefit from it.

So far, Sri Lanka, France, UAE, and Singapore have partnered with India on emerging fintech and payment solutions.

Also, RBI had earlier this year extended Unified Payments Interface-based payments for in-bound travellers from G20 nations to make local payments while they are in India. This facility was made available in April.

India is all set to host the G20 Summit in New Delhi on September 9-10.

World leaders will arrive in New Delhi to attend the G20 Summit. The summit will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Notably, India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 last year and about 200 meetings related to G20 were organized in 60 cities across the country.

The government today also launched the ‘G20 India’ mobile app for seamless and smooth functioning with Indian and foreign delegates. The G20 India mobile app having all member countries’ language options will help delegates access UPI and navigation facilities during the summit. (ANI)

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Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) gangster Hashim Baba

Law & Order For G20 Will Be Flawless: Delhi Police

By LokMarg

On security arrangements ahead of G20, Delhi Police Special Commissioner, Law and Order Dependra Pathak said that G20 was a prestigious summit and the Delhi police are confident that law and order arrangements would be flawless.

Delhi Police Special Commissioner, Law and Order Dependra Pathak said, “G20 is a prestigious summit. It is a matter of pride for India and Delhi. Delhi police have the focused responsibility of safety, security, law and order. We are taking it as a challenge. We are planning it with professional excellence and executing it on the ground. We are doing rehearsals for it. For the summit area, certain segments of Delhi police are focused.”

“Other parts of Delhi, which affect the general perception of the summit, should also be flawless and fail-proof. We have made plans for it as its focus responsibility is with us,” Delhi Police Special Commissioner Dependra Pathak said.

“There is a national element and an international element in G20. We have analysed the law and order situation where the G20 summit has taken place before. We have done a comprehensive analysis taking into consideration several aspects like international pressure groups and local organisations” he added. 

Elements of community policing like police friends, resident associations, market associations, home guards, civil defence etc. have also joined as force multipliers. We are taking help from para-military forces, Special Commissioner Dependra Pathak said.

“Under strategic planning, We have ensured no mishap takes place right from normal protest to communal sensitive pockets. Delhi police is confident and we will leave no stone unturned and we will see to it that law and order arrangements are flawless. We will work with a firm attitude but be thoroughly effective on the ground,” he added.

The Delhi Police have started conducting vehicle checking at various locations across the national capital ahead of the upcoming G20 summit on September 9 and 10. Surprise checks were conducted at India Gate and other parts of the city between Monday night and early hours on Tuesday.

The two-day summit will draw leaders and delegates from 40 countries, including the 20 member states. The G20 Summit is set to be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan.

The New Delhi G20 summit will see the biggest participation in the history of the grouping, with arrangements in place for the mega event, including those for the stay of leaders of member countries and the invited guest countries. (ANI)

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