STATE TIMES NEWS
New Delhi: Several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, arrived here on Friday to attend the G20 Summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying he looked forward to productive discussions with them over the next two days.
Biden is scheduled to have a bilateral meeting with Modi Friday evening. During the meeting, the two leaders are likely to review the progress made on the decisions that they took during the prime minister’s state visit to Washington in June.
Modi, Biden stress on importance of Quad in supporting free, open, inclusive Indo-Pacific
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden on Friday stressed the importance of the Quad grouping in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific.
A joint statement issued after bilateral talks between the two leaders also said the Prime Minister looked forward to welcoming the US President to the next Quad Leaders’ Summit to be hosted by India in 2024.
The Quad, comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia, has been focusing on practical cooperation to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific in the backdrop of China’s increasing military muscle-flexing in the region.
The joint statement was issued after comprehensive talks between Modi and Biden to further economic and people-to-people bilateral linkages with the Prime Minister asserting that the friendship between the two nations will continue to play a great role in furthering global good.
This is President Biden’s first visit to India as US President. The last US President to visit India was Donald Trump in February 2020.
“Prime Minister Modi and President Biden reaffirmed the importance of the Quad in supporting a free, open, inclusive, and resilient Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.
India welcomed the US decision to co-lead the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative Pillar on Trade Connectivity and Maritime Transport, further to the US decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) in June 2023, it said.
Continuing to share the view that global governance must be more inclusive and representative, President Biden also reaffirmed his support for a reformed UN Security Council with India as a permanent member, and, in this context, welcomed once again India’s candidature for the UNSC non-permanent seat in 2028-29, the statement said.
The leaders also underscored the need to strengthen and reform the multilateral system so it may better reflect contemporary realities and remain committed to a comprehensive UN reform agenda, including through expansion in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership of the UN Security Council, it said.
The leaders were welcomed by traditional dance performances by various troupes and a smiling IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva danced to the beat of the music at the airport.
Responding to a post by Georgieva on X on arrival here to attend the summit, Prime Minister Modi said he appreciates the affection she has shown for India’s culture when she landed here.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were received at the airport by Union Ministers Shobha Karandlaje and Darshana Jardosh respectively.
Sunak was received by Union Minister Ashwini Choubey while Argentine President Alberto Fern ndez was welcomed by Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste.
Comoros President Azali Assoumani also arrived here to a rousing welcome. He is also the chairperson of the African Union.
Sunak interacts with staff, students at British Council
New Delhi: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrived here on Friday for the G20 Leaders’ Summit beginning on September 9 and said he would work with world leaders to address some of the challenges that impact every one of us.
Accompanied by his wife Akshata Murthy, Sunak was welcomed at the airport by Union minister Ashwini Choubey, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis and senior diplomats.
“I’ve landed in Delhi ahead of the G20 summit. I am meeting world leaders to address some of the challenges that impact every one of us. Only together can we get the job done,” Sunak said in a post on X.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Sunak and said he was looking forward to a fruitful summit. “Welcome Rishi Sunak! Looking forward to a fruitful Summit where we can work together for a better planet,” Modi said on X.
Sunak is scheduled to hold a bilateral meeting with Modi during his three-day visit.
After his arrival, he met students and staff at British Council here. “Before meeting the world leaders of today I’ve been meeting with the world leaders of tomorrow. It’s been fantastic to visit students and staff here at @inBritish (British Council in India) — a reflection of the living bridge that exists between the UK and India,” Sunak wrote on X. He also shared pictures of his interaction.
In an interview to PTI earlier this week, Sunak, the first Indian-origin prime minister of Britain, said the relationship between the UK and India will define the future of the two countries, even more than it is defining the present.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also arrived for the summit.
On his arrival, Deputy Prime Minister of Oman Sayyid Fahd bin Mahmoud Al Said was received by Ashwini Choubey and he witnessed dance performance by cultural troupes.
President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President of United Arab Emirates Shaikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan also landed here to a rousing welcome.
UN Secretary General Antonia Guterres, who also reached here to attend the Summit, was received by officials of the world body.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, “I am confident that our guests will enjoy the warmth of the Indian hospitality.”
“I will also be holding bilateral meetings with several leaders and Heads of Delegation to further deepen the bonds of friendship and cooperation,” he added.
The G20 leaders will deliberate on pressing global issues at the grouping’s annual summit here on September 9 and 10. India is hosting the summit in its capacity as the current G20 chair.
The leaders of the influential grouping are being welcomed at the airport with cultural performances.
In its G20 presidency, India has been focusing on various issues such as inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience and equitable global health access.
The G20 member countries represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade and about two-thirds of the world population.
The grouping comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union (EU).
