India Welcomes G20 Leaders With Cultural Extravaganza At The Airport

During its G20 presidency, India has been spearheading discussions on a range of critical topics, including inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and universal access to global health resources.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 8 September 2023 7:35 am

World leaders gather in New Delhi for the annual G20 summit

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Argentine President Alberto Fernández, and IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva have all made their way to the national capital for the highly anticipated G20 summit. This annual gathering, hosted by India in its role as the current G20 chair, will serve as a platform for world leaders to engage in meaningful discussions on critical global issues over September 9 and 10.

British PM Rishi Sunak, accompanied by wife Akshata Murthy, arrived in anticipation of the G20 Leaders Summit. Upon landing, they were warmly received by Union Minister Ashwini Choubey, British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis, and senior diplomats. The couple was delighted by the traditional dance performances held in their honor. PM Sunak's visit includes a planned bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spanning three days.

As these influential leaders arrived at the airport, they were greeted with vibrant cultural performances, setting the stage for a productive and culturally rich summit. Notably, upon her arrival, Kristalina Georgieva couldn't resist the infectious rhythm of the music and danced with evident enthusiasm, PTI reported.

Under India's G20 presidency, a spotlight has been placed on various significant topics, including inclusive growth, digital innovation, climate resilience, and ensuring equitable global health access. These are all critical issues in today's interconnected world.

The G20 comprises nations that collectively represent a staggering 85 percent of the global GDP, wield influence over more than 75 percent of global trade, and are home to approximately two-thirds of the world's population. It's a diverse and powerful assembly of countries, including 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).

However, earlier today, Spain's President Pedro Sanchez delivered the unexpected news of his positive COVID-19 test result, preventing his attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi. President Sanchez, assuring everyone that he is feeling "fine," has designated First Vice President Nadia Calvino Santamaria and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares to represent Spain at the summit.