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. President Biden met with Prime Minister Modi on Friday evening for their scheduled bilateral meeting. The two leaders also exchanged views on a number of regional and global issues. They agreed that the India-US partnership was beneficial not only for the people of the two countries but also for global good.
The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of Prime Minister’s historic State visit to the U.S. in June 2023, including under the India-U.S. Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).
All world leaders who arrived yesterday 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 (formerly Twitter) on arrival in the national capital to attend the summit, Prime Minister Modi said he appreciates the affection she has shown for India’s culture when she landed in New Delhi. 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.
The UK’s Prime Minister Sunak was received by Union Minister Ashwini Choubey while Argentine President Alberto Fernández 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. 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 where he witnessed dance performances 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 the 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 9 and 10 September. 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% of the global GDP, over 75% 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).
PM to hold 15 bilateral meets over 3-day duration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold over 15 bilateral meetings with world leaders between Friday and Sunday as the country hosts the G20 summit meeting over the weekend. The Prime Minister held bilateral meetings United States president Joe Biden and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday at his official residence. He also held a meeting with the Mauritian leader Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. On Saturday, he is slated to hold bilateral meetings with the leaders of the UK, Japan, Germany and Italy besides attending the G20 events. PM Modi will hold a working lunch meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, sources said. The Prime Minister will also have a pull-aside meeting with his Canadian counterpart. He will also have bilateral meetings with the leaders of Comoros, Turkiye, the UAE, South Korea, the EU/EC, Brazil and Nigeria, they said
