Hosted by Modi, Eyes on 'Rare' G20 Leaders' Summit as Canadian PM Trudeau Scheduled to Join Virtually

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host a virtual G20 leaders’ summit on Wednesday evening, which would give them an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the Delhi Declaration adopted in September and several new challenges that have emerged since then.

India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant said that the virtual meeting is expected to see similar attendance of global leaders as seen in the in person meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on September 9-10.

Sources told News18 that Justin Trudeau is also expected to participate in the summit. This despite the ongoing tension between two countries since the Canadian Prime Minister accused India of having a “possible link” in the murder of pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Calling the virtual summit “something very rare” and “rather exceptional”, Kant told reporters that no other presidency had held such a meeting of G20 after the conclusion of the physical summit. He added that the virtual meeting is to take forward the guidance provided by the participating leaders into action for a just and equitable world.

Noting that several challenges have emerged since the September G20 summit, Kant said development would be the primary focus of the virtual meeting and leaders might engage in discussions on a myriad of other issues.

“We are expecting a large majority of G20 leaders to be present,” said Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra in response to questions. He said it would not be correct to pre-judge if the issues of geo-political tensions will be raised at the meeting.

The virtual meeting of G20 leaders is taking place a day after leaders of the BRICS grouping held an extraordinary meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“The virtual summit will provide an opportunity not only to discuss the implementation of the leaders’ declaration but also for the leaders to share views and enhance cooperation on critical challenges,” Kant said.

He said the goal was to address gaps in global governance, reaffirm commitments to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and progress toward a revitalised multilateral system better positioned to positively impact people’s lives.

Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth said it is expected that Wednesday’s meeting will give further momentum and guidance on issues related to the finance track and then hand it over to Brazil which will take over the G20 presidency from December 1.

(With inputs from PTI)