India-Middle East-Europe corridor, AU in G20: Big hits of G20 Summit Day 1

Day 1 of the Group of 20 (G20) Summit in India is a hit. Not only has New Delhi been successful in the African Union’s (AU) inclusion as a member of the grouping of top world economies, but also in adopting a consensus declaration despite divisions over several key issues. Addressing the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in Pragati Maidan today (9 September), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his opening remarks that India’s G20 presidency was “a symbol of inclusion, of ‘sabka saath’ both inside and outside the country.” He also called on the world to turn “global trust deficit into trust and confidence”. Here’s all you need to know about key events of Day 1 of the 18th G20 Summit in Delhi. AU becomes a G20 member PM Modi asked AU chairperson Azali Assoumani to take a seat at the G20 table as a permanent member, making the 55-member grouping of African nations the second regional bloc to become a permanent member after the European Union (EU). There was a wide consensus in the G20 bloc to get the AU as a new member. The development also shows how India which promised to be the voice of the Global South has achieved its goal during the G20 Presidency. In a tweet on X, formerly Twitter, Modi wrote: “India is elated to welcome African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Together, let us foster global unity and progress. Let us also do whatever we can for the development of the Global South.” He said that AU’s inclusion will “strengthen the G20 and also strengthen the voice of the Global South.” New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration The G20 Summit adopted a consensus declaration despite major differences among the bloc over the wording of Russia’s war in Ukraine and issues such as climate. PM Modi told the G20 gathering in the afternoon, “On the back of the hard work of all the teams, we have received consensus on the G20 Leaders Summit Declaration”, reported Reuters. The joint declaration calls for “comprehensive, just, and durable peace in Ukraine” and urges member states to “refrain from the threat of use of force to seek territorial acquisition” against “territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state”.

“The use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible,” says the declaration.

A consensus document is a big victory for India’s presidency because in its absence it would have been the first time in 20 years when there was no G20 Leaders’ Declaration.

History has been created with the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration. United in consensus and spirit, we pledge to work collaboratively for a better, more prosperous, and harmonious future. My gratitude to all fellow G20 members for their support and cooperation. https://t.co/OglSaEj3Pf

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

“Historical & Path breaking G20 Declaration with 100 per cent consensus on all developmental and geo-political issues. The new geopolitical paras are a powerful call for Planet, People, Peace and Prosperity in todays world. Demonstrates PM Narendra Modi leadership in today’s world.” India’s G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant wrote on X.

The #NewDelhiLeadersDeclaration focuses on -

▶️Strong, Sustainable, Balanced, and Inclusive Growth
▶️Accelerating Progress on #SDGs
▶️Green Development Pact for a Sustainable Future
▶️Multilateral Institutions for the 21st Century
▶️Reinvigorating Multilateralism#G20India

— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) September 9, 2023

In another post, he called India’s G20 presidency “most ambitious” so far. “With 112 outcomes and presidency documents, we have more than tripled the substantive work from previous presidencies,” Kant added. Global Biofuel Alliance India has announced a global biofuel alliance with the United States and Brazil to bolster the use of cleaner fuels. Argentina, Italy, Bangladesh, Mauritius, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa and Brazil are also the initiating members of the group, while Canada and Singapore are observer countries. “We are launching the Global Biofuel Alliance. India invites all of you to join this initiative,” Modi told the G20 grouping.

#WATCH | G-20 in India: PM Narendra Modi launched 'Global Biofuels Alliance', in Delhi pic.twitter.com/LNvGfiWjsw

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

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As per Reuters, the alliance would work towards achieving net zero emissions targets by encouraging trade in biofuels acquired from substances like plant and animal waste. “The alliance will provide a boost to global trade, secure the supply and availability of biofuels and coordinate internationally recognised standards and codes,” Union minister for petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Singh Puri had said in July, as per Mint. Rail and ports deal The India-Middle East-Europe mega economic corridor has also been announced on the sidelines of the G20 Summit today. “Today we all have reached an important and historic partnership. In the coming times, it will be a major medium of economic integration between India, West Asia and Europe,” Modi said during the launch, as per PTI.   The multinational rail and ports deal plans to link India with the Middle East and eventually Europe. India, the US, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the European Union and some other G20 nations will be part of the project, Jon Finer, the US principal deputy national security adviser had said earlier, as per Associated Press (AP).

#WATCH | G-20 in India: US President Joe Biden says, "This is a real big deal. I want to thank PM. One Earth, One Family, One Future that's the focus of this G 20 Summit. And in many ways, it's also the focus of this partnership that we're talking about today. Building… pic.twitter.com/XffltBQips

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The ambitious project, which was announced as part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment, could be a counter to China’s Belt and Road – a massive infrastructure programme. Under the deal, Middle East countries will be connected by railways and linked to India by port. “The deal will benefit low and middle-income countries in the region, and enable a critical role for the Middle East in global commerce,” Finer said, as per Reuters. Bilaterals PM Modi also held several bilaterals on the sidelines of the G20 Summit today. The Indian premier held talks with his UK counterpart Rishi Sunak, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/xorHab2ZiS

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

Sharing pictures of his meeting with Kishida on X, Modi said that they reviewed “India-Japan bilateral ties and the ground covered during India’s G20 Presidency and Japan’s G7 Presidency.” “We are eager to enhance cooperation in connectivity, commerce and other sectors,” he added. Modi and Sunak discussed ways to boost trade linkages and enhance investment between India and the UK.

Great to have met PM @RishiSunak on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi. We discussed ways to deepen trade linkages and boost investment. India and UK will keep working for a prosperous and sustainable planet. pic.twitter.com/7kKC17FfgN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 9, 2023

On Friday, United States president Joe Biden met the Indian premier at his residence in New Delhi. Modi said they talked about “economic and people-to-people linkages between India and USA.” Earlier in the day, Modi talked about political and security cooperation with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina, who was among the special invitees of India for the G20 Summit. The two countries also inked three agreements, including connecting their digital payment mechanisms, reported Hindustan Times (HT).  The Indian prime minister also had bilateral conversation with his Mauritius counterpart Pravind Kumar Jugnauth. Meanwhile, a dinner party being hosted by President Droupadi Murmu now awaits the foreign dignitaries who have assembled in Delhi for the two-day G20 Summit. A three-hour concert Bharat Vadya Darshanam (Musical Journey of India) will also be organised at the dinner to highlight India’s culture. With inputs from agencies