 "G20 Summit: From paying tribute to Gandhi to PM's high-profile meets and passing gavel to Brazil, Day 2's big moments")
Day 2 of the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi saw plenty of big moments. The day began with a slew of big hitters including US president Joe Biden, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and UN secretary-general António Guterres, paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the Rajghat memorial. Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the leaders at the rain-drenched Rajghat. Let’s take a closer look at the big moments of Day 2 PM Modi greets dignitaries at Rajghat Modi welcomed the dignitaries with an ‘angvastram’ or stole with an image of Gandhi’s Sabarmati Ashram in Gujarat, which was his home from 1917 to 1930 and served as one of the main centres of India’s freedom struggle, in the background.
At the iconic Rajghat, the G20 family paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi - the beacon of peace, service, compassion and non-violence.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
As diverse nations converge, Gandhi Ji’s timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future. pic.twitter.com/QEkMsaYN5g
The prime minister was seen explaining to the leaders the significance of the ashram where Gandhi stayed from 1936 till his death in 1948. The G20 leaders paid tribute to Gandhi by laying wreaths at his samadhi. While some leaders, including Modi and Sunak, walked barefoot, others were seen wearing white footwear provided to the visitors at Rajghat.
Modi hailed Gandhi as a beacon of ‘peace, service, compassion and non-violence.’ He added that his timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future. Modi also posted pictures of the morning’s event. Visuals from the spot showed PM Modi, Biden and Sunak walking together.
The ideals of Mahatma Gandhi reverberate globally. pic.twitter.com/J4Ko3IXpe4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
The leaders then proceeded to participate in the third session ‘One Future’ of the G20 summit being held at the Bharat Mandapam venue at Pragati Maidan. PM Modi’s many meetings The prime minister held meetings with several high-profile global leaders including France’s president Emmanuel Macron, and Canada Justin Trudeau. Modi began by holding a working lunch with Macron.
A very productive lunch meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed a series of topics and look forward to ensuring India-France relations scale new heights of progress. pic.twitter.com/JDugC3995N
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Modi and Macron on Sunday vowed to strengthen Indo-French defence ties through partnership in design, development and manufacture of advanced defence technologies and platforms including for third countries in the Indo-Pacific. Modi and Macron held talks on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. “Both leaders reiterated their commitment to strengthen the defence cooperation through partnership in design, development, testing and manufacture of advanced defence technologies and platforms, and expand production in India, including for third countries in Indo-Pacific,” a joint statement said. Modi met Trudeau on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
Met PM @JustinTrudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. We discussed the full range of India-Canada ties across different sectors. pic.twitter.com/iP9fsILWac
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Modi and Trudeau discussed full range of India-Canada ties across different sectors. In a post on X, Modi said, “Met PM @JustinTrudeau on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. We discussed the full range of India-Canada ties across different sectors.” Trudeau said India is an “extraordinarily important” economy and an “important partner” of Canada in a range of sectors including fighting climate change and creating economic growth. “India is an extraordinarily important economy in the world and an important partner to Canada on everything from fighting climate change to creating growth and prosperity for the citizens,” he said. The Canadian prime minister said both sides will continue to look at expansion of existing cooperation. To a question on Khalistan extremism and “foreign interference”, Trudeau said the issues figured in many conversations he and Prime Minister Modi had. “Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us,” he said. “At the same time, we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred. I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada,” Trudeau said. Responding to questions on Khalistan extremism and “foreign interference,” said, “Both the issues came up. Over the years, with PM Modi, we have had many conversations on both of those issues. Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us at the same time we are always there to prevent violence and to push back against hatred.” “I think on the issue of the community, it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada. The flip side of it, we also highlighted the importance of respecting the rule of law and we did talk about foreign interference,” he added. Modi also met the President of the Union of Comoros and chairperson of the African Union (AU), Azali Assoumani.
Had a very fruitful meeting with @PR_AZALI. Congratulated him once again on @_AfricanUnion joining the G20 family. Comoros is vital to India’s SAGAR Vision. Our deliberations included ways to enhance cooperation in areas like shipping, trade and more. pic.twitter.com/Zd4Nbm7YvZ
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
This came a day after Modi invited Assoumani to join other leaders at the high table – thus making the 55-member bloc the second multi-nation grouping after the European Union to be a permanent member of the G20. Modi on Sunday discussed strengthening trade and infrastructure relations with Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Modi met Erdogan on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit that concluded here on Sunday. “We talked about ways to further cement trade and infrastructure linkages between India and Turkiye,” Modi said on X.
Met President @RTErdogan. We talked about ways to further cement trade and infrastructure linkages between India and Türkiye. @trpresidency pic.twitter.com/XFIanwKKb7
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Erdogan on Sunday said India is his country’s greatest trade partner in South Asia and expressed confidence of tapping the huge potential of cooperation between the two countries. Addressing a press conference after the conclusion of the G20 leaders’ summit, Erdogan added, “… we will be able to tap the great potential of cooperation, primarily in the field of economy and many other sectors, after the election that took place in Turkiye earlier this year,” he said. Modi also met German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. After his meeting with Scholz, Modi said he thanked the German leader for enriching the G20 Summit with his views. “Also discussed how India and Germany can continue working together in clean energy, innovation and work towards a better planet,” PM Modi wrote on X.
Very good meeting with @Bundeskanzler @OlafScholz in Delhi. Thanked him for enriching the G20 Summit with his views. Also discussed how India and Germany can continue working together in clean energy, innovation and work towards a better planet. pic.twitter.com/g62rUXEVDc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Scholz said that at the summit the leaders have successfully engaged in a new interaction between the North and the South. “We will continue to pursue ambitious objectives in tackling climate change and state that the G20 have taken a clear stand against the violent principles of Russia’s policy,” the German Chancellor posted on X. Modi also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The deliberations with @President_KR Yoon Suk Yeol were extensive. Reviewing the complete spectrum of bilateral relations, we agreed to further boost commercial and cultural ties between India and the Republic of Korea. pic.twitter.com/SVOalbmUnM
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Modi said the deliberations were extensive. “Reviewing the complete spectrum of bilateral relations, we agreed to further boost commercial and cultural ties between India and the Republic of Korea,” Modi said on X. Modi also met Brazil’s Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Prime Minister of Netherlands Mark Rutte.
Excellent meeting with President @LulaOficial. Ties between India and Brazil are very strong. We talked about ways to boost trade and cooperation in agriculture, technology and more. I also conveyed my best wishes for Brazil’s upcoming G20 Presidency. pic.twitter.com/XDMjLdfyUi
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
Excellent meeting with @MinPres Mark Rutte. We talked about ways to enhance friendship between our nations. The scope of cooperation for our businesses is immense. We also look forward to strong ties in clean energy, semiconductors, digital technology and more. pic.twitter.com/KorTmjTKA1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
PM hands over gavel to Brazil, calls for virtual meet in November Modi on Sunday symbolically handed over the G20 presidency to Brazil.
#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi hands over the gavel of G 20 presidency to the President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. pic.twitter.com/ihEmXN9lty
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2023
India, which assumed the presidency the presidency on 1 December, will continue to hold the position till 30 November. Modi, passing the gavel to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, said, “As you all know India has the responsibility of G20 presidency till November 2023. In these two days, all of you gave a lot of suggestions and placed proposals. It is our duty that the suggestions we have received be reviewed once again so as to see how their progress can be sped up.” He added, “I propose that at the end of November, we hold a virtual session of G20. We can review the topics decided in this Summit, in that virtual session…I hope you all will connect in the virtual session…With this, I declare the conclusion of G 20 Summit." The theme of this year’s G20 Summit, which is taking place under India’s presidency is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth · One Family · One Future." The Brazilian president congratulated Modi for “efficiently leading the G20 bloc and for excellent work in this summit.” The next G20 Summit will be held in Brazil in 2024 following which the US will take over its presidency. Social inclusion, fight against hunger, energy transition and sustainable development are some of the agendas listed by Lula as G20 priorities. With inputs from agencies
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