G20 Summit: PM Modi holds bilateral talks with Joe Biden

1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed United States President Joseph R. Biden, Jr., to India today, reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States. The leaders expressed their appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the ground breaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi’s historic, June 2023, visit to Washington.

2. The leaders called on their governments to continue the work of transforming the India-U.S. Strategic Partnership across all dimensions of our multifaceted global agenda, based on trust and mutual understanding. The leaders re-emphasized that the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, inclusion, pluralism, and equal opportunities for all citizens are critical to the success our countries enjoy and that these values strengthen our relationship.

3. President Biden lauded India’s G20 Presidency for further demonstrating how the G20 as a forum is delivering important outcomes. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 and expressed confidence that the outcomes of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in New Delhi will advance the shared goals of accelerating sustainable development, bolstering multilateral cooperation, and building global consensus around inclusive economic policies to address our greatest common challenges, including fundamentally reshaping and scaling up multilateral development banks.

Click Here to read the full statement  

G-20 Special Secretary Muktesh Pardeshi said, "In a few hours, the G-20 summit will begin. Today was the day of arrival of state heads. A lot of presidents, prime ministers and ministers have arrived. And many will come throughout tonight. Tomorrow is a long and important day."

"Tomorrow's day will begin with a ceremonial welcome of the leaders. After that, the inaugural session will continue till lunch. The prime minister will host a working lunch. After that, there would be some free time when bilateral meetings may take place. After that, the second session will begin and will continue till the evening," Pardeshi said. 

"After that, bilateral meetings may take place again in some free time. After that, the President will host the state dinner at around 8 p.m. A cultural program and instrumental musical program would be there during dinner. It would display India's diverse musical journey. Many rare instruments would be used in it. An ensemble will present classical and folk music. Young musicians and divyang artists will participate in it," he added. 

Biden met with PM Modi after arriving in New Delhi for a G20 summit. Biden and Modi last met in person in June when the Indian leader was the guest of a White House state visit.

The two men are expected to discuss progress on a number of agreements reached in June, including a deal to allow General Electric GE.N to produce jet engines in India to power Indian military aircraft.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen joined the meeting, as did White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan.

Indian attendees included external affairs minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and security adviser Ajit Doval. 

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned Friday the world was facing the risks of conflict as divisions between nations widen, speaking ahead of a G20 leaders summit. 

"If we are indeed one global family -- we today resemble a rather dysfunctional one", Guterres told reporters in New Delhi.

"Divisions are growing, tensions are flaring up, and trust is eroding – which together raise the spectre of fragmentation, and ultimately, confrontation," he added. 

UK PM Rishi Sunak has arrived in India for G20 Summit. He expressed hope for a 'comprehensive and ambitious trade deal'

"Both Modi ji and I are keen to see a comprehensive and ambitious trade deal concluded between our two countries...Trade deals always take time, they need to work for both countries. Although we have made enormous progress there is still hard work to go," he told ANI.

On the eve of G20 Summit, global leaders are arriving in the Indian capital New Delhi. Some of the dignitaries who have arrived include UK PM Rishi Sunak, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth and more. The leaders have expressed happiness after their arrival in New Delhi and have taken to X (formerly Twitter) expressing hope of a successful summit.

PM Modi has welcomed all the leaders with separate reply on each of their posts.

PM Narendra Modi is holding bilateral meeting with Mauritius PM Pravind Jugnauth.

US President Joe Biden is scheduled to reach India at 6:10 pm today. His bilateral meet with PM Modi is scheduled at 7:35 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet US President Joe Biden at his residence today. Additionally, the PM will also meet Mauritius PM Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi said that these meetings will further strengthen India's developmental co-operation with these nations.

Amitabh Kant, the G20 sherpa who is steering all the preparations for the G20 Summit, said, "When India took over the charge of G20 Presidency, there was huge impact across the globe due to COVID-19. There was challenge of climate crisis and climate actions. At that point, Indian PM Modi felt that we should, under our presidencey, G20 should be inclusive desicive, ambitious and action oriented."

Pre-Summit press briefing by the G20 presidency, India, begings.

Three major multilateral initiatives will be launched during the G20 summit on Saturday (September 9). According to a report by Hindustan Times on Friday, these initiatives are the Middle-East Infrastructure Corridor, the Global Biofuels Alliance, and the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII). Read more

European Council President Charles Michel said on Friday it was hard to predict if leaders of G20 could reach consensus on a declaration during the weekend summit. 

"It's difficult to predict if it will be possible to have an agreement on the declaration. We are still negotiating," Michel told reporters in New Delhi.

Ahead of his arrival in Delhi, United Kingdom Prime Minister Rishi Sunak took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and said, "I’m heading to the G20 Summit with a clear focus."

He added, "Stabilising the global economy. Building international relationships. Supporting the most vulnerable."

"This action is part of that – Putin again has failed to show up for the G20, but we will show up with support for Ukraine," said Sunak, on X. 

During a press conference at the Delhi, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen emphasized the role of G20 countries in taking on global challenges. This comes as PM Modi has has pledged not to let Ukraine overshadow the needs of the mostly developing nations in the so-called "Global South." 

"In spite of obvious problems due to Russia's war against Ukraine and Russia's general absence from G20 initiatives, I believe the G20 has been extremely effective," said Yellen. 

She also said that the Washington will look to increase lending capacity of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and went on to dismiss competition between the China and the US. 

"It's a question of addressing to longstanding global challenges, reducing poverty, addressing global public goods issues," said Yellen. 

Speaking about Russia and China, President of the European Council Charles Michel said, "When we have a permanent member (Russia) of Security Council taking a decision to long shot an attack, a war it is a blatant violation of the UN Charter. This is something very serious. So, we are acting very united and very firm in supporting Ukraine and sanctioning Russia." 

However about China he added, "on the inside, we see the relationship with China - we feel that we need to interest China to play a positive role at a global level into different UN Charter, into the sovereignty of Ukraine..."

It is difficult to predict if leaders of the G20 grouping will reach consensus on a declaration at the end of this weekend's summit in New Delhi, said European Council President Charles Michel, as per Reuters. 

One of the issues he expects to figure during the G20 talks over the weekend, are Russia's blockade of the passage of grain shipments from Ukraine through the Black Sea, which affects food security in many nations.

"Still being negotiated," said Michel when asked about whether G20 will issue leaders' declaration in view of differences over the Ukraine war. 

Speaking to the press in Delhi, European Council President Charles Michel said, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, "asked a question - Can the G20 go further? Can we shift our fundamental mindset for the benefit of all humanity? I believe we can and that's why we are - to work towards making the world a favourable place for everyone no matter where they live."

He added, "I would like to thank PM Modi and India for their leadership and their priorities." 

"We look forward to welcome African Union as permanent member of G20," said  European Council President Charles Michel, during a press conference, in Delhi. 

"I don't think that this G20 will dissolve in two days all the problems of the world...But I feel it can be a route step into a direction to ensure to make it happen and to support Indian presidency. This is how the EU considers it role..." he said after being asked if he was expecting African Union to be a part of the G20 this weekend. 

During a press conference after his arrival for the G20 summit in India, European Council President Charles Michel, said that the European Union, will continue to back Kyiv while Russia continues to attack innocent civilians in Ukraine. 

"EU's position on Ukraine crisis is crystal clear; We condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine," said Michel. He added, "We support Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's peace formula to resolve Ukraine crisis." 

"Russia is violating the UN Charter and fundamental principles for international rules-based order," said the European Council president. 

"I will not be attending the G20 dinner organised by the Hon. President of India Draupadi Murmuji, on 09 September 2023, due to health reasons. I have already communicated this to the government. I wish the G20 summit a grand success," said Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, on X, formerly Twitter. 

Speaking about the absence of Russian President Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Delhi, US Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen said, "It is important to emphasise that the G20 is a prime solution to the global challenges. We see it as a premier organisation on a global basis that is taking on critical challenges facing the global economy and particularly the global South." 

She added, "I believe the G20, in spite of obvious problems due to Russia's war against Ukraine and Russia's general absence from G20 initiatives, has been extremely effective, especially under India's leadership. Our goals for the G20 have coincided closely with those of India. We have tackled very important challenges."

On 8th September, PM will hold bilateral meetings with leaders of Mauritius, Bangladeshi and USA at the Prime Minister's Office.

On 9th September, in addition to the G20 meetings, PM will hold bilateral meetings with UK, Japan, Germany and Italy.

On 10th September, PM will hold a working lunch meeting with President Macron of France. He will do a pull aside meeting with Canada and bilateral meetings with Comoros, Türkiye, UAE, South Korea, EU/EC, Brazil and Nigeria.
 

As New Delhi gears up to host the upcoming G20 summit, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced that they are taking an operational pause in their ongoing Exercise Trishul in the northern sector and that the fighter aircraft involved will not be flying between September 7 and 10, reported news agency ANI, on Thursday (September 7) citing officials. 

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According to reports, former Indian prime ministers Manmohan Singh and HD Deve Gowda have been invited to attend the G20 Summit dinner: Report

 

The entry of Goods Vehicles into Delhi from across borders has been stopped in the wake of the G20 Summit. Only vehicles carrying essential commodities such as milk, vegetables, fruits, medical supplies, etc. will be allowed to enter the city.

As New Delhi gears up to host leaders from the leaders from G20 nations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting a private dinner for US President Joe Biden on Friday (Sept 8) evening.

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United States President Joe Biden departed for India on Thursday (September 7) where he will be attending the G20 summit, as China's Xi Jinping and Russia's Vladimir Putin remain absent from the congregation.

On Sunday, Biden will travel to Vietnam where he is likely to improve relations with the former foe, in an effort to push back China's increasing assertion.

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