The G20 Summit for the year 2023, hosted in Delhi, reached its successful conclusion with resounding accolades for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's exemplary leadership. Top leaders from around the world extended their congratulations to PM Modi for the "historic success" of India's G20 presidency, commending his decisive approach and his unwavering commitment to representing the voice of the Global South. India's hospitality during the summit received glowing praise, while the country's message of 'one earth, one family, one future' resonated deeply with all attending delegates.
As the G20 summit wrapped up under India's presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the need for reforms across global institutions to align them with the world's evolving realities. The United States, Russia, and France expressed their appreciation for the positive outcomes of the summit under Indian leadership.
Here are the key highlights from this global event:
Bilateral Meetings: PM Modi engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where they discussed matters of mutual interest.
African Union's Inclusion: A significant milestone during India's presidency was the granting of permanent membership to the 55-country African Union. President of the Union of Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, expressed gratitude for India's support in achieving this milestone. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa praised India's role in facilitating the African Union's entry into the G20, and Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte acknowledged India for placing the Global South at the center of the grouping.
Biden's Praise: US President Joe Biden lauded India's efforts and emphasized the critical partnership with the African Union. He recognized PM Modi's role in bringing nations together and fostering collaboration to address shared challenges.
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor: India, alongside the US and several major economies, announced an ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. PM Modi underscored the importance of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity while promoting connectivity initiatives. This corridor is seen by many as an alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Russia-Ukraine Conflict: The New Delhi Leaders' Declaration addressed the Russia-Ukraine conflict. While it did not explicitly mention the conflict, it advocated for respecting each other's territorial integrity and sovereignty, signaling a potential path toward resolving the crisis. India achieved unanimous consensus on both developmental and geopolitical issues in the Declaration.
Russia's Appreciation: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised the G20 Summit under India's presidency, characterizing it as a breakthrough event that charted a path forward on various global challenges. He highlighted the significance of the Global South.
UNSC Reform: PM Modi emphasized the need for reforming global bodies to reflect present realities during the 'One Future' session at the summit. He cited the United Nations Security Council as an example, stressing the need for its expansion to better represent today's world.
Crypto Regulation: PM Modi addressed cybersecurity and cryptocurrencies as pressing issues, calling for the development of global standards to regulate cryptocurrencies. He underscored the importance of securing cyberspace against emerging threats.
Japanese and Russian Praise: Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida praised PM Modi's leadership in the G20, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for strengthening G20 cooperation based on the foundation laid by India's presidency.
Pro-Khalistan Protests: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau discussed the issue of pro-Khalistani protests in his country during his meeting with PM Modi. Canada expressed its commitment to preventing violence and countering hatred, emphasizing that the actions of a few do not represent the entire community or Canada.
G20 Presidency Transition: PM Modi handed over the G20 presidential gavel to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, expressing confidence in Brazil's ability to further global unity and prosperity.
Climate Change Initiatives: Several G20 leaders lauded PM Modi's initiatives to combat climate change during the summit, with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida specifically commending the concept of "Mission LiFE."
Tributes to Mahatma Gandhi: G20 leaders, including US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial, Rajghat.
Visit to Akshardham Temple: Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, visited the Akshardham temple, highlighting its significance as both a place of worship and a representation of India's values.
Finance Minister's Meeting: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with her Chinese counterpart, Liu Kun, on G20-related matters during the summit.
The G20 Summit in Delhi was marked by a series of significant developments, underscoring India's role as a global leader and diplomat. The outcomes of this summit have not only reflected India's diplomatic prowess but have also paved the way for constructive global cooperation on critical issues.
