Spain's President Tests Positive For COVID-19, Skips G20 Summit In New Delhi

Spain's President Pedro Sanchez announced his positive COVID-19 test result on Thursday, preventing his attendance at the upcoming G20 Summit in New Delhi. While President Sanchez assured that he felt "fine," he designated First Vice President Nadia Calvino Santamaria and Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares to represent Spain at the summit.

In a statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), he stated, "This afternoon I have tested positive for COVID and will not be able to travel to New Delhi for the G20 Summit. I feel fine. Spain will be magnificently represented by the First Vice President and Minister of Economic Affairs and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation."

President Sanchez's absence adds him to the list of world leaders, including Russia's Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping, who have withdrawn from the summit. The G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled to take place in the national capital on September 9-10, with more than 30 heads of state and top officials from the European Union, invited guest countries, and 14 heads of international organizations expected to attend.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and United States President Joe Biden are among the first world leaders set to arrive in New Delhi on Friday for the two-day G20 Summit 2023, which begins on September 9. President Biden expressed his anticipation for discussions on pressing global issues, stating on his official X account, "Every time the G20 engages, it 'gets better.'"

Rishi Sunak's arrival is scheduled for 1.40 pm in New Delhi, where he will be received by Minister of State for Consumer Affairs Ashwini Kumar Choubey.