G-20 summit Sept. 10 updates | Summit concludes in New Delhi, Brazil handed over rotational presidency

PM Modi conveyed to his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau India’s strong concerns about the continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada that were promoting secessionism, inciting violence against its diplomats and threatening the Indian community there.

In his talks with Mr. Trudeau on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit, Mr. Modi also mentioned that a relationship based on “mutual respect and trust” is essential for the progress of the India-Canada relationship, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“The prime minister highlighted that India-Canada relations are anchored in shared democratic values, respect for rule of law and strong people-to-people ties,” it said.

“He conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship,” it said.

The nexus of such forces with organised crime, drug syndicates and human trafficking should be a concern for Canada as well. It is essential for the two countries to cooperate in dealing with such threats, the MEA said in a statement.

- PTI

Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena thanked residents of Delhi-NCR “for rising up to the occasion and making the G-20 Summit a grand success”.

The L-G said without the support of locals, their enthusiasm and patience in the face of inconveniences, this international event could not have played out with the perfection that it did.

Also expressing gratitude towards the ground staff and officials of the NDMC, Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Delhi Police, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Delhi Cantt Board, PWD, Forest Department, MCD, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), IAF, ASI and other stakeholders, he said their “outstanding round-the-clock hard work over the last few months resulted in Delhi becoming an unprecedently clean and beautiful ‘Host City’ for the visiting dignitaries”.

Mr. Saxena thanked the heavens, “who made the stay of the visiting dignitaries all the more special by bringing down temperatures as well as the AQI”.

- ANI

U.S. President Joe Biden said he held his highest-level direct talks with Chinese leadership in months and said the country’s economic wobbles wouldn’t lead it to invade Taiwan.

“My team, my staff still meets with President Xi’s people and his cabinet,” Mr. Biden told reporters. “I met with his No. 2 person in India today.”

Chinese Premier Li Qiang attended the annual G20 summit in New Delhi. In March, he took office in the country’s No. 2 post.

The two spoke about stability and the Southern Hemisphere, he said.

He added that the Chinese economy has struggled due to a lack of international growth, but Biden didn’t see it leading the country to taking steps to change the status quo of self-ruled Taiwan.

“I don’t think this is going to cause China to invade Taiwan,” Biden said. “As a matter of fact, the opposite, probably doesn’t have the same capacity that it had before.”

- Reuters

The G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration is a comprehensive document as it lays the roadmap for collective global action in building a prosperous future, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar said.

“Congratulations to ‘Bharat’, visionary leadership and the entire team for meticulous execution and successful conclusion of G20 Summit in New Delhi,” the Vice President was quoted as saying by his secretariat in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

Mr. Dhankhar said that the “G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, a comprehensive document, lays the roadmap for collective global action in building a prosperous future, embracing the essence and spirit of #VasudhaivaKutumbakam- ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.” “The historic summit, inspired by our civilisational ethos, would ever be remembered for forging consensus among world leaders on the urgent need to address common problems faced by humanity at large,” he said.

- PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and France Emmanuel Macron held talks on the sidelines of the G-20 Summit.

“Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen the defence cooperation through partnership in design, development, testing and manufacture of advanced defence technologies and platforms, and expand production in India, including for third countries in Indo-Pacific,” a joint statement said.

“In this context, they also called for early finalisation of the Defence Industrial Roadmap,” it said.

“They reiterated their unwavering commitment to collectively serve as a force of good, carrying the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ that is ‘one earth, one family, one future’, during tumultuous times reshaping the global order,” the statement said.

“Laying emphasis on areas such as digital, science, technological innovation, education, culture, health and environment cooperation, both leaders called for strengthening of institutional linkages in these domains, on the model of the Indo-French Campus for the Indo-Pacific,” it said.

- PTI

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said there was more to Italy’s relationship with China than the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), adding that a final decision on whether to leave the BRI was still to be taken.

“There are European nations which in recent years haven’t been part of the Belt and Road but have been able to forge more favourable relations [with China] than we have sometimes managed,” Ms. Meloni told a press conference at the end of the G-20 summit of the world’s major economies in New Delhi.

Ms. Meloni met Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Saturday on the G-20 sidelines and described the talks as polite and constructive.

“The issue is how to guarantee a partnership that is beneficial for both sides, leaving aside the decision that we will take on the BRI,” she added.

- Reuters

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said global recovery is slow and uneven and underscored the need to pursue sound policies for financial stability and growth-oriented structural reforms.

Speaking at G-20 Leaders’ Summit here, Ms. Georgieva said, G-20 members must lead by example in delivering on the promises of $100 billion per year for climate finance, supported by strengthening Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has secured over $40 billion to support vulnerable countries through its Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) to build climate resilience, she said.

Countries also need to mobilize domestic resources to finance and manage the green transition through tax reforms, effective and efficient public spending, strong fiscal institutions, and deep local debt markets, she said.

- PTI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the “historic success” of India’s G-20 presidency, saying the summit leaves an indelible victory mark for every citizen of the country who believes in the greatness of Indian benevolent cultural values.

“My heartfelt congratulations to PM @narendramodi Ji on the historic success of our G20 presidency,” Mr. Shah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

The Home Minister said whether it is the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration or the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, the summit built bridges of trust among geopolitical regions standing true to Modi’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.

- PTI

French President Emmanuel Macron said the G-20, which was founded to solve international economic issues, was not necessarily the place to expect diplomatic progress on the war in Ukraine.

However, he said in a press conference the G-20 declaration was not a diplomatic victory for Russia, which emerged isolated from the summit.

“This G20 confirms once again the isolation of Russia. Today, an overwhelming majority of G20 members condemn the war in Ukraine and its impact,” Mr. Macron told a press conference after the closing ceremony of the summit.

Lavrov, at a media briefing earlier said that Russia managed to ensure the agenda of the G-20 summit in New Delhi was not overshadowed by the Ukraine conflict, and termed the gathering a “success”.

- Reuters

In a post on social media platform ‘X’, the Prime Minister of U.K. stated, “From global food security to international partnerships, it’s been a busy but successful summit.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian President Justin Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit being held in New Delhi. “We discussed the full range of India-Canada ties across different sectors,” Mr Modi posted on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter).

Earlier in the day, he met French President Emmanuel Macron and also held discussions with Chairperson of the newly-inducted G20 member African Union, Azali Assoumani.

The G-20 declaration, which hit snags on the language to describe the Ukraine war, amounted to a “coup” for host Prime Minister Narendra Modi though the final compromise statement reflected a stand far softer than those the U.S. and its Western allies have adopted on Russia, the world media said.

India managed to hammer out an unexpected consensus among the G-20 countries on the contentious issue of Ukraine through a series of hectic negotiations with emerging economies such as Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia playing a leading role in reaching the breakthrough on the first day itself.

Leaders gathered for the two-day annual Group of 20 Summit managed to agree on a ‘G-20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration’ laying out shared views on climate change and economic development but showed the fractures within the group by stopping short of explicitly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

PTI

Whilst speaking about the second session of the G20 summit themed ‘One Family’, the Turkish President said the root of the problem was not lack of resources but the lack of compassion and Turkey was objecting to this.

About the war in Ukraine, he said for over one and half years, it cost lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals.

Speaking about the progress on the Black Sea grain initiative, he referred to 33 million of grains were exported. He held, with regards to the grain initiative, any initiative that isolates Russia would fail.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met her Chinese counterpart Liu Kun and exchanged views on G-20-related matters.

The meeting was held on the sidelines of the last day of the G-20 Leadership Summit.

It is to be noted that China President Xi Jinping decided to not attend the G-20 Summit. China was represented by its Prime Minister Li Qiang.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and said they discussed a series of topics. The bilateral talks took place after the G-20 Summit concluded. Both countries share close ties and strategic partnership.

Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Sunday that the fact that all G-20 members concurred on importance of just and durable peace in Ukraine and principles of U.N. Charter including territorial integrity and sovereignty as reflected in G-20 declaration is a truly a significant achievement.

“There are various comments such as weak comments without explicit condemnation. Even in comparison to Bali declaration we are recalling on outcomes of last years declaration and applied new expression and factors and new items into this years leaders declaration. For example, the call for refraining from use or threat of use of force to seek territorial acquisition, pursuit of comprehensive just and durable peace in Ukraine, call for cessation of destruction of military infrastructure — these are not included in last years declaration including upholding principles of U.N. Charter. That this was adopted along with support of Russia is very meaningful,” he said.

The Indian presidency played a decisive role and other countries of the Global South to ensure the G-20 worked on an equitable basis. I hope this reflects a trend. The fact that Western countries conceded to such language is the first step, but remains to be seen if they follow through, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

He said that the G-20 declaration like all statements need compromise. It is good that Western countries agreed to compromise. The summit is a turning point because the Global South united and is unwilling to bring Ukraine to the centre of talks. Everyone is tired of the Ukraine crisis, Global South is rallying around other issues.

We were prepared to defend ourselves, maybe Western delegations heard their conscience... but eventually the main content is that Global South is no longer willing to be lectured by the West, he added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the West doesn’t keep promises — France won’t leave Comoros, U.K. won’t leave Chagos, but expect others to. The West can’t dominate the narrative any longer.

The West should get rid of colonial habits if they want to work with Africa. Even if Mr. Putin or Mr. Xi are there, nothing stops them from talking to African countries. At the Russian AU conference and BRICS Summit, we made it clear that African countries can’t be forced to sell raw resources, they need technology to fend for themselves, he said.

Stating that high-level talks between India and Russia will continue, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said the country needs more access for our banks, access to insurers to allow exports to go out. As soon as promises made to Russia are kept, Moscow will revive the deal for Ukraine. Developing countries were more united in demands and more persistent during this summit. What matters most given breakthroughs at this summit, the West should draw the correct conclusions from the statement.

Addressing a presser, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on September 10 said, “G20 Summit has put pressure on the west to keep its promises on financing and technology transfer and that developing world will no longer believe their words without action.”

“West has not been able to Ukrainize the agenda, because the global south is focused on development issues... The G20 statement on Ukraine has reinforced the U.N. charter, and West has not been able to blame Russia for this,” he said.

He further added that the West is placing bets on Russia’s strategic defeat. “But G-20 Summit is about reality and fully expresses Russian position on the Black Sea Grain Initiative.”

PM Modi said he would convene another G-20 Summit via videoconference... It will be another opportunity to follow up on our commitments in Delhi. Text of declaration speaks for itself. Western leaders are wrong if they say there is any criticism of Russia in G-20 statement. We have thanked India for laying solid foundation for the G2-0, and our other friends, said Mr. Lavrov.

He added that the Black Sea Grain Initiative can be revived if it works both ways, must remove obstacles to Russian grain and fertiliser exports as well. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is telling us to resume the BSGI but that only keep the bargain with Russia after months.

President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen wished Brazilian President Lula the best as they take over the presidency from India in December. She stated the E.U. values its partnership with Brazil and would want to “re-energise it”.

The E.U. President added that they must look to find a path forward for the EU-MERCOSUR trade agreement. The trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur states, that is, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay was formulated in June 2019. It strives to “consolidate a strategic political and economic partnership and create significant opportunities for sustainable growth on both sides”.

As part of an effort “to nurture environmental consciousness”, leader participated in a symbolic tree plantation at Bharat Mandapam.

After the ceremonial handing over of the G-20 presidency, PM Narendra Modi announced the end of G-20 summit in Delhi. Mr Modi said that with two and half months were left for India’s presidency, it was imperative that the placed suggestions and proposals are reviewed, and a virtual summit be held to take stock of their progress. As PM Modi declared the conclusion of G-20 Summit, he cited Sanskrit shloka to pray for hope and peace in entire world.

After the ceremonial handing over of gavel, Brazilian President Lula listed social inclusion, fight against hunger, energy transition and sustainable development as G-20 priorities, adding that UN Security Council needs new developing countries as permanent, non-permanent members to regain political strength.

“We want greater representation for emerging countries at World Bank, IMF,” he noted at the ceremony to mark transfer of G-20 chair to Brazil.

India would be holding the presidency until December before Brazil takes over. The term for rotational presidency in the forum is from the first Dec 1 of the ongoing year to Nov 30 of the succeeding year.

In his opening remarks at Session 3 of the summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi elaborated the idea was about a future where countries were not only integrated by interests but by hearts.

Prime Minister Modi also reiterated his thoughts about a human centric vision than a GDP centric one. He told the gathering that India sharing its data derived from the Chandrayaan Mission would also be shared – exemplifying its commitment towards the same.

Stressing on the necessary need for reform, Prime Minister Modi pointed to the inclusion of African Union into the G-20 fold. He added that members must consider an expansion of the mandate of Multilateral Development Banks. “The decision on this front must be immediate and effective,” he said.

Prime Minister Modi concluded his remarks stressing transformation and sustainability must move in consonance together.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally handed over the G-20 presidency gavel to Brazilian President Lula da Silva after the final session of the G-20 Summit on Sunday.

Brazil will take over the presidency in December.

Welcoming the announcement of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described it as the “largest cooperation project in our history” that will “change the face of the Middle East, Israel, and will affect the entire world”.

“I welcome the statement that was released today by the United States, India, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the European Union, as well as France, Italy and Germany,” Mr. Netanyahu said. -PTI

Speaking at the final session of the G-20 Summit on Sunday, European Union President Ursula von der Leyen, spoke on Artificial Intelligence and digital infrastructure. “It is clear that the future is digital. AI has risks but also offers tremendous opportunities,” she said.

The EU President said Europe and its partners should develop a new global framework to mitigate AI risks. “It should protect us against systemic societal risks and foster investments in safe and responsible AI systems, at the same time,” she added.

Digital Public Infrastructures can be a real booster to emerging economies, the President noted. “India has achieved remarkable success in rolling out its Digital Public Infrastructures,” she added.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Sunday hailed India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant for the ‘Delhi Declaration’ consensus, and said it was a “proud moment for India at G-20”.

Tagging Mr. Kant’s remarks in an interview on how the consensus was achieved on the paragraphs on Russia-Ukraine, Mr. Tharoor said in a post on X, “Well done @amitabhk87!Looks like the IFS lost an ace diplomat when you opted for the IAS!” “’Negotiated with Russia, China, only last night got final draft,’ says India’s G-20 Sherpa on ‘Delhi Declaration’ consensus. A proud moment for India at G-20!” Mr. Tharoor, a former under-secretary-general, said in his post late Saturday night.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, representing the G-20 presidencies of last year and the next year, handed over a sapling each to current chair Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.

The symbolic ceremony took place at the start of the third session, ‘One Future’, of the G-20 Summit.

First Mr. Widodo handed over the sapling to Mr. Modi and then Mr. Lula da Silva presented the sapling to the prime minister, amidst applause from other leaders.

The G-20 leaders summit will draw to a close this afternoon with India handing over the G-20 presidency to Brazil.

1. Russia praises the G-20 consensus declaration that avoids direct criticism of Moscow for the war in Ukraine as ‘balanced”.

2. EU official says the Ukraine issue was the most contentious issue and dragged out negotiations until the last moment.

3. G-20 leaders including U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak gather at Rajghat, the memorial to the father of the Indian independence movement, Mahatma Gandhi, on the banks of the Yamuna River.

4. Britain commits $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund to help developing countries cope with climate change.

5. Mr. Biden skips final session of the summit, flies to Vietnam for talks.

Britain will commit to providing $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to help developing countries cope with climate change, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Sunday at the G-20 Leaders Summit in New Delhi.

The pledge would be the biggest single funding commitment the U.K. has made to date to help the world tackle climate change, a government statement said. -Reuters

World leaders walked barefoot through puddles Sunday to pay their respects to revered Indian independence hero Mahatma Gandhi after monsoon downpours dampened Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s set-piece G-20 programme.

U.S. President Joe Biden was among several visiting heads of state to opt for felt slippers instead of going unshod at the site, where normal footwear is forbidden as a mark of respect.

Others including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and French President Emmanuel Macron joined Modi in shedding their socks and shoes on the walk to the marble plinth where an eternal flame commemorates Gandhi’s memory.

After a rendition of a Hindu devotional hymn, they stood for a moment’s silence before leaving wreaths to honour the peace icon. -AFP

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday skipped the final G-20 session as he left New Delhi on Air Force One, leaving for Hanoi.

Mr. Biden was scheduled to arrive in Vietnam on Sunday to deepen cooperation between the two nations, in the face of China’s growing ambitions in the region.

Mr. Biden will meet the leader of Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party, Nguyen Phu Trong, on Sunday, and is expected to sign off on a “comprehensive strategic partnership”, Hanoi’s highest level of diplomatic ties.

Discussions on the G-20 leaders’ declaration went on till the last moment and the Ukraine war was the most contentious issue before a consensus was reached, a European Union official, who did not want to be identified, said on Sunday. -Reuters

It took over 200 hours of non-stop negotiations by a team of Indian diplomats to deliver a consensus on the G-20 declaration that was adopted at the Leaders’ Summit here, India’s G-20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said on Sunday.

The team of diplomats, including joint secretaries Eenam Gambhir and K. Nagraj Naidu, held 300 bilateral meetings and circulated 15 drafts with their counterparts on the contentious Ukraine conflict to drive home a consensus that was clinched on the first day of the G-20 Leaders Summit itself. -PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday received G-20 leaders at the rain-drenched Rajghat where they will pay tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, IMF head Kristalina Georgieva, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong were amongst the first to reach the venue this morning.

Mr. Modi welcomed the dignitaries with an ‘angvastram’ or stole while standing against the backdrop of an image of ‘Bapu Kuti’.

The Prime Minister was seen explaining the leaders about the significance of ‘Bapu Kuti’. -PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a working lunch meeting with President Emmanuel Macron of France on Sunday.

Mr. Macron arrived in New Delhi a day ago to attend the two-day-long G-20 Summit hosted by India under its Presidency. -ANI

Ahead of the crucial Day two of the G-20 Summit security has been stepped up in parts of the national capital on Sunday. According to the Delhi Traffic Police alert, “Police Controlled Zone 2 has been implemented and consequently, buses will not operate on Ring Road between ISBT Kashmiri Gate and Sarai Kale Khan. Buses will operate on the remaining stretch of Ring Road and the road network beyond Ring Road towards the borders of Delhi.” -ANI

Day 1 of the summit ended with President Murmu hosting a dinner for all the delegates at Bharat Mandapam. The agenda for the second day looks at tree planting, live performance of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional songs, and more.

8:15 a.m.- The leaders and heads of state will arrive at Rajghat. It is to be followed by the signing of the Peace Wall.

9:00 a.m,- The leaders will lay wreaths at Rajghat, and it is to be followed by a concert of Mahatma Gandhi’s favourite devotional songs.

9:20 a.m.,- Leaders will go to Bharat Mandapam for the summit.

9:40 a.m.- Arrival of leaders at Bharat Mandapam.

10:15 a.m.- Tree planting ceremony at Bharat Mandapam

10:30 a.m.- The third session of the summit, ‘One Future’, will take place at Bharat Mandapm. This session is followed by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration.

12:30 p.m.- The summit is scheduled to end.

2:30 p.m.- Press conferences by world leaders.

1. ​ ​Ukraine says statement on Russian war ‘nothing to be proud of’​​

2. ​ ​Saudi Arabia, India, U.S. and EU launch economic corridor to increase trade​​

3. ​ ​G-20 Summit clinches New Delhi Declaration​​

4. ​ ​African Union becomes permanent member​​

G-20 leaders on September 9 called for the full and timely implementation of a UN-brokered deal that allows Ukraine to export its grain to the world markets through the Black Sea.

In the G-20 declaration, the leaders of the grouping emphasised the importance of sustaining food and energy security and called for the “cessation of military destruction” or other attacks on relevant infrastructure. -PTI