Fresh off the heels of a successful G20 Summit, India is working with the African side to hold the mega India-Africa Summit. &nbsp;Expected to be held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in December this year, the summit aims to further firm up ties between the two sides and build on the gains made at the G20 Summit, with the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the mega economic grouping.

At the G20 Summit's opening session in New Delhi on September 9th, Comoros President Azali Assoumani was invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to occupy a seat at the high table. Under India's G20 presidency, the largest number of African countries to date were in attendance, including invited countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Comoros (as the AU chair), and member countries like South Africa. The December summit will be the 4th such India-Africa Summit.&nbsp;The third one took place in Delhi in 2015 with earlier summits taking place in 2011 and 2008.

New Delhi has been increasing its engagement with the continent. India's support to Africa is exemplified by the extension of concessional loans exceeding USD 12.37 billion. This financial assistance has enabled the successful completion of 197 projects, with an additional number of 65 projects currently underway. Eighty-one projects are in the pre-execution stage. These projects encompass diverse sectors, including drinking water schemes, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, transmission lines, cement production, sugar mills, textile factories, technology parks, and railway infrastructure.

In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, India's commitment to global health became evident as it supplied 'Made in India' COVID-19 vaccines to 42 African countries from January 2021 to March 2023. This monumental effort not only saved lives but also strengthened India's position as a dependable ally in times of crisis.

Furthermore, India's dedication to education in Africa is evident through the granting of 42,000 scholarships since the 2015 India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)-III. In fact, the first foreign campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Uganda and of IIT Mumbai were established in Tanzania this year.

On the economic front, bilateral trade between India and Africa surged to US$ 98 billion in 2022-23, marking significant growth from the previous year's US$ 89.6 billion. In recent times, high-level visits between India and Africa have been instrumental in strengthening diplomatic ties. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's visits to South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda reflect India's commitment to engage in meaningful dialogues and expand cooperation with African nations.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi's Kampala principles, outlined in 2018, serve as a guiding framework for India's engagement with the continent. New Delhi has consistently emphasised its role as an important development partner, working in alignment with the needs and priorities of African countries. It also backs Africa for a reformed United Nations Security Council.

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Fresh off the heels of a successful G20 Summit, India is working with the African side to hold the mega India-Africa Summit. Expected to be held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in December this year, the summit aims to further firm up ties between the two sides and build on the gains made at the G20 Summit, with the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the mega economic grouping.

Fresh off the heels of a successful G20 Summit, India is working with the African side to hold the mega India-Africa Summit. Expected to be held in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, in December this year, the summit aims to further firm up ties between the two sides and build on the gains made at the G20 Summit, with the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the mega economic grouping. At the G20 Summit's opening session in New Delhi on September 9th, Comoros President Azali Assoumani was invited by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to occupy a seat at the high table. Under India's G20 presidency, the largest number of African countries to date were in attendance, including invited countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, Mauritius, Comoros (as the AU chair), and member countries like South Africa. The December summit will be the 4th such India-Africa Summit. The third one took place in Delhi in 2015 with earlier summits taking place in 2011 and 2008. New Delhi has been increasing its engagement with the continent. India's support to Africa is exemplified by the extension of concessional loans exceeding USD 12.37 billion. This financial assistance has enabled the successful completion of 197 projects, with an additional number of 65 projects currently underway. Eighty-one projects are in the pre-execution stage. These projects encompass diverse sectors, including drinking water schemes, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, transmission lines, cement production, sugar mills, textile factories, technology parks, and railway infrastructure. In the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic, India's commitment to global health became evident as it supplied 'Made in India' COVID-19 vaccines to 42 African countries from January 2021 to March 2023. This monumental effort not only saved lives but also strengthened India's position as a dependable ally in times of crisis. Furthermore, India's dedication to education in Africa is evident through the granting of 42,000 scholarships since the 2015 India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)-III. In fact, the first foreign campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Uganda and of IIT Mumbai were established in Tanzania this year. On the economic front, bilateral trade between India and Africa surged to US$ 98 billion in 2022-23, marking significant growth from the previous year's US$ 89.6 billion. In recent times, high-level visits between India and Africa have been instrumental in strengthening diplomatic ties. Indian External Affairs Minister Jaishankar's visits to South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, and Uganda reflect India's commitment to engage in meaningful dialogues and expand cooperation with African nations. Prime Minister Modi's Kampala principles, outlined in 2018, serve as a guiding framework for India's engagement with the continent. New Delhi has consistently emphasised its role as an important development partner, working in alignment with the needs and priorities of African countries. It also backs Africa for a reformed United Nations Security Council. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Building on G20 Summit success, plans underway for India-Africa summit

From lauding Nehru & Vajpayee to calling G20 the success of 140 crore Indians, PM Narendra Modi delivered a historic speech as he kickstarted the special session of Parliament. Molly Gambhir brings you the big takeaways.

Gravitas: From Nehru to G20: Key highlights from PM Modi's Lok Sabha speech

Turkey has been in “intensive negotiations” to find its alternative to the India-Middle East trade corridor plan which was finalised at the G20 summit this month, as the country aims to bolster its historic role in the transport route for goods sent from Asia to Europe. 
 
Turkey has not supported the proposed India-Middle East route which would transport goods from the subcontinent to European markets, passing through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-tayyip-erdogan-says-turkey-could-part-ways-with-european-union-if-necessary-636623">Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey could 'part ways' with European Union if necessary</a>

The trade corridor, which has been supported by the US and EU as they try to counter the growing influence of China, will be completely bypassing Turkey.

<h2>No corridor without Turkey: Erdogan</h2>

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after the G20 Summit that “there can be no corridor without Turkey”, adding that “the most appropriate route for trade from east to west must pass through Turkey”. 
 
Since then, the country's foreign minister Hakan Fidan has doubled down on the scepticism, stating this week that “experts had doubts that the primary goal [of the India-Middle East corridor] was rationality and efficiency” and suggesting “more geostrategic concerns” were at play. 
 
“A trade route does not only mean meeting trade alone. It’s also a reflection of geostrategic competition,” said Fidan, while responding to a question from the Financial Times. 
 
Turkey has now proposed an alternative route called the Iraq Development Road initiative, as Fidan insisted that “intensive negotiations” are underway with Qatar, the UAE and Iraq about a project which would be forged “within the next few months”. 
 
Through the proposed $17 billion route, goods will be taken from the Grand Faw port in southern Iraq, passing through 10 Iraqi provinces, to Turkey, as per the diagrams released by the Baghdad government.

WATCH |&nbsp;Turkey proposes own connectivity project with Iraq | Latest News | WION

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-proposes-own-connectivity-project-with-iraq-latest-news-wion-635265/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“Turkey lacks the financing to realise the full scope of the project, and seems to be counting on UAE and Qatari support to build the proposed infrastructure,” stated Emre Peker, Europe director at the Eurasia Group think-tank, while speaking to the Financial Times. 
 
“For that to happen, the Gulf states would need to be convinced of good returns on investment — something that is not imminently evident with the [Development Road] project,” Peker stated. 
 
He stated that there are also “issues around security and stability that threaten both construction and the long-term feasibility of the project”.

You can&nbsp;now write for&nbsp;wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

Turkey has been in “intensive negotiations” to find its alternative to the India-Middle East trade corridor plan which was finalised at the G20 summit this month, as the country aims to bolster its historic role in the transport route for goods sent from Asia to Europe.

Turkey has been in “intensive negotiations” to find its alternative to the India-Middle East trade corridor plan which was finalised at the G20 summit this month, as the country aims to bolster its historic role in the transport route for goods sent from Asia to Europe. Turkey has not supported the proposed India-Middle East route which would transport goods from the subcontinent to European markets, passing through the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. ALSO READ | Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey could 'part ways' with European Union if necessary The trade corridor, which has been supported by the US and EU as they try to counter the growing influence of China, will be completely bypassing Turkey. No corridor without Turkey: Erdogan Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said after the G20 Summit that “there can be no corridor without Turkey”, adding that “the most appropriate route for trade from east to west must pass through Turkey”. Since then, the country's foreign minister Hakan Fidan has doubled down on the scepticism, stating this week that “experts had doubts that the primary goal [of the India-Middle East corridor] was rationality and efficiency” and suggesting “more geostrategic concerns” were at play. “A trade route does not only mean meeting trade alone. It’s also a reflection of geostrategic competition,” said Fidan, while responding to a question from the Financial Times. Turkey has now proposed an alternative route called the Iraq Development Road initiative, as Fidan insisted that “intensive negotiations” are underway with Qatar, the UAE and Iraq about a project which would be forged “within the next few months”. Through the proposed $17 billion route, goods will be taken from the Grand Faw port in southern Iraq, passing through 10 Iraqi provinces, to Turkey, as per the diagrams released by the Baghdad government. WATCH | Turkey proposes own connectivity project with Iraq | Latest News | WION “Turkey lacks the financing to realise the full scope of the project, and seems to be counting on UAE and Qatari support to build the proposed infrastructure,” stated Emre Peker, Europe director at the Eurasia Group think-tank, while speaking to the Financial Times. “For that to happen, the Gulf states would need to be convinced of good returns on investment — something that is not imminently evident with the [Development Road] project,” Peker stated. He stated that there are also “issues around security and stability that threaten both construction and the long-term feasibility of the project”. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Turkey drums up support for alternative to India-Middle East trade corridor

The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.7 million global page views.&nbsp;

During the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi, India found itself under the global media spotlight for several days. This attention has translated into a remarkable increase in pageviews for the English Wikipedia article. In August 2023, pageviews surged fourfold compared to July 2023, reaching over 220,000, and within the first two weeks of September 2023, they skyrocketed to over 550,000.

The heightened interest in the article not only reflects the global fascination with the event but also underscores India's prominence on the international stage. The G20 Summit and India's presidency have sparked widespread curiosity and engagement.

This fascination extends beyond the English-speaking audience, as the article has been translated into 18 languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish, accumulating a combined total of over 1.96 million pageviews.&nbsp; Volunteer editors have made hundreds of edits, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information. In the case of the English Wikipedia G20 article alone, 166 editors have contributed over 450 edits since its publication.

While Wikipedia remained one of the sources of information, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube played a significant role in disseminating information and fostering discussions.&nbsp;India's official G20 Presidency Twitter account, @g20org, garnered substantial attention with a followership of 644.4K. The use of popular hashtags like #G20India and #G20OfCourse facilitated conversations, allowing users to share insights and opinions about the summit.

YouTube, another powerful platform, became a primary source for live streaming the G20 Summit. The official G20 YouTube channel, with 67.4K subscribers, provided an accessible medium for people to watch the proceedings.

Furthermore, various Indian government YouTube channels, including PMO (Prime Minister's Office), MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), and PIB (Press Information Bureau), also streamed the summit and uploaded videos of various bilaterals, accumulating a significant number of views. This shift towards online streaming reflects a broader trend of people preferring digital platforms over traditional television for accessing important events.

The surge in online engagement during the G20 Summit underscores the growing influence of social media and digital platforms in shaping public discourse and disseminating information.&nbsp;

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.

The recently concluded G20 Summit in New Delhi captured the attention of internet users worldwide, with a surge in interest, especially last week weekend. The English Wikipedia article titled "2023 G20 New Delhi Summit," published in October 2022, has amassed 1.7 million global page views. During the G20 Summit hosted in New Delhi, India found itself under the global media spotlight for several days. This attention has translated into a remarkable increase in pageviews for the English Wikipedia article. In August 2023, pageviews surged fourfold compared to July 2023, reaching over 220,000, and within the first two weeks of September 2023, they skyrocketed to over 550,000. The heightened interest in the article not only reflects the global fascination with the event but also underscores India's prominence on the international stage. The G20 Summit and India's presidency have sparked widespread curiosity and engagement. This fascination extends beyond the English-speaking audience, as the article has been translated into 18 languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Turkish, accumulating a combined total of over 1.96 million pageviews. Volunteer editors have made hundreds of edits, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of the information. In the case of the English Wikipedia G20 article alone, 166 editors have contributed over 450 edits since its publication. While Wikipedia remained one of the sources of information, platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube played a significant role in disseminating information and fostering discussions. India's official G20 Presidency Twitter account, @g20org, garnered substantial attention with a followership of 644.4K. The use of popular hashtags like #G20India and #G20OfCourse facilitated conversations, allowing users to share insights and opinions about the summit. YouTube, another powerful platform, became a primary source for live streaming the G20 Summit. The official G20 YouTube channel, with 67.4K subscribers, provided an accessible medium for people to watch the proceedings. Furthermore, various Indian government YouTube channels, including PMO (Prime Minister's Office), MEA (Ministry of External Affairs), and PIB (Press Information Bureau), also streamed the summit and uploaded videos of various bilaterals, accumulating a significant number of views. This shift towards online streaming reflects a broader trend of people preferring digital platforms over traditional television for accessing important events. The surge in online engagement during the G20 Summit underscores the growing influence of social media and digital platforms in shaping public discourse and disseminating information. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Internet was abuzz on India's G20 Summit amid global media spotlight, data shows

The international press has been talking about India and there has been a lot of talk about the recent G20 Summit.

International press' take on G20 Summit hosted by India

In a culinary twist, the recently concluded G20 summit showcased the power of millets in the world of gastronomy. From the vibrant Bharat Mandapam to the elegant delegate hotels, millet-based creations stole the show, turning heads and taste buds alike.

G20 showcased Millets' Culinary Excellence

#thewestasiapost | Asia shined big at the g20. But most action happened on the sidelines. World leaders including the Saudi Crown Prince and UAE foreign minister launched the #imec. Observers say it aims to counter China's Belt and Road project - which is already active in West Asia. What is the difference between the two projects what it means for the region.

US, India, UAE, Saudi, Eu announce rail & port corridor

The success of the summit makes Prime Minister Narendra Modi the “clear winner” in this season of summitry with Beijing, according to British economist Jim O’Neill, who is famous for coining the term BRICS. The G20 is currently the only body that can provide solutions to global problems, according to Project Syndicate.

G20 success makes Modi look more like a visionary statesman than Xi Jinping: Jim O’Neill

In an exclusive interview with WION, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, expressed his thoughts on India hosting the mega G20 summit, listing out key areas in which India took the lead, including inclusion of the African Union in the grouping. India hosted the summit on 9-10th of September in Delhi that saw a gathering of over 20 top global leaders. "I think history would remember it, as an inflection point, in graph of a rising India that yes people would say that this was one of those big moments from shaping the agenda , creating a consensus,," EAM Dr. Jaishankar told our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. "I think anybody writing a G20 history would say this was probably one of the most substantive G20s," Dr. Jaishankar noted, "These issues will determine the world's future in the next decade." From reforms in multilateral banks to addressing debt, green development, food security, gender equality, and skills mapping, the G20 countries came together to address issues of global significance. Dr. Jaishankar emphasized that these discussions would have a profound impact on the world's future. Moreover, the summit conveyed a clear message about India's commitment to global collaboration. Dr. Jaishankar stated, "India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready, is capable, is willing to really do more, shoulder more, contribute more." Asked on talks that went behind the G20 Joint statement, Dr. Jaishankar praised the G20 countries, saying, "This wouldn't have happened if every one of the G20 countries didn't feel that need to step up and come together."

EAM Jaishankar to WION: G20 Summit Marks an 'Inflection Point' for a rising India

In an exclusive interview with WION, External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, expressed his thoughts on India hosting the mega G20 summit, listing out key areas in which India took the lead, including the inclusion of the African Union in the grouping.

In an exclusive interview with WION, External Affairs Minister, Dr Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, expressed his thoughts on India hosting the mega G20 summit, listing out key areas in which India took the lead, including the inclusion of the African Union in the grouping. India hosted the summit on 9-10th of September in Delhi, which saw a gathering of over 20 top global leaders. "I think history would remember it, as an inflection point, in a graph of a rising India that yes people would say that this was one of those big moments from shaping the agenda, creating a consensus," EAM Dr Jaishankar told our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal. "I think anybody writing a G20 history would say this was probably one of the most substantive G20s," Dr Jaishankar noted, "These issues will determine the world's future in the next decade." From reforms in multilateral banks to addressing debt, green development, food security, gender equality, and skills mapping, the G20 countries came together to address issues of global significance. Jaishankar emphasised that these discussions would have a profound impact on the world's future. Moreover, the summit conveyed a clear message about India's commitment to global collaboration. Jaishankar stated, "India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready, is capable, is willing to really do more, shoulder more, contribute more." Asked about talks that went behind the G20 Joint statement, Dr Jaishankar praised the G20 countries, saying, "This wouldn't have happened if every one of the G20 countries didn't feel that need to step up and come together." Full interview. WION: India hosted the mega G20 Summit. It was an important milestone for India and Indian diplomacy with me is one of the key architects of India's G20 Presidency, Dr S Jaishankar, India's external affairs minister. How important and momentous occasion was this, the hosting of the summit? How does it add heft to India at a time of geopolitical flux and the emergence of the New Delhi consensus? Dr S Jaishankar: Sidhant first of all very good to be with you. I would say yes, no questions... this was a very, very important summit, because after all what is the G20, it is the 20 most powerful economies of the world. On top of that, we had nine guests and 14 international organizations. So, purely in terms of, I would say the importance and the influence of the countries concerned, this was in our history the most crucial international gathering that we had ever done. What is its relevance today, I think it has a very strong relevance because you're seeing today a world order under stress. You're also seeing a world order in transformation. The two are somewhat different. So you can see the East-West polarization, there is a growing north-south divide, and a lot of countries are under pressure because of debt, because of economic concerns, and because their sustainable Development Goals and progress have slowed down. People are struggling with climate actions and climate events. So given the background of a very, very disturbed international environment, I think it was very important that this meeting took place and that this meeting was successful. What it has done is, really kind of generated a sense of optimism today for diplomacy because diplomacy for the last few years has been a very depressing profession, I must tell you. WION: Moving on to the challenge of the joint statement, there were questions about whether it would come or it would be difficult. So if you can perhaps give us some insight as to how this miracle to many, to use the word happened, in a sense that the joint statement came, the consensus, how it emerged? Dr S Jaishankar: Within the realms of what is publicly disclosable, I would say, you know, at one level, you know, at one level there was a belief that this was G20. There has never been a G20 summit without a statement, but of course, the G20 has never faced the kind of problem that it has. At the same time, we were also confident that we were India. Our relationships with the other G 19 have been very strong, they will surely appreciate why the Indian presidency must be successful. And then at the third level, I think you've never taken diplomacy anything for granted. So, you know, the negotiators were working to bridge the gaps, to find the formulations, to close out the positions. If they hit a roadblock which did in the last, you know it would always happen, then they would take it up sometimes come to me on an occasion which was necessary which happened finally, in the last day of the summit, I had to go even to the prime minister on certain issues. So all of that, you know, came together, really. In terms of how did it happen? I would say, you know, there were certain countries certainly you know, Brazil, South Africa, India. Clearly in the lead, Indonesia, to some extent, I think you can say the countries in the middle took a lot of initiative in trying to find a common landing ground. But again, I will give credit to the entire G20, this wouldn't have happened if every one of the G20 countries didn't feel that need to step up and come together. WION: So there was the Ukraine challenge as well. We saw the final document mentioning Ukraine, extensive mention. Do you see the West somehow backing out? I mean, the statement wasn't something that saw any condemnation against Russia. Dr S Jaishankar: You know, I think there's a very misplaced debate that somehow you are successful if you're managed to replicate what was done last year. Last year was last year, this year. Many things have happened in between. I mean, common sense would tell you that you would want all those issues included. After all in any other activity, today we are sitting on the 13th of September. You would not like, on the 13th of September 2023, you sum up a situation which was there on 13th of September 2022. You will want to capture everything out there. Now if you have to capture everything you'll have to come up with a new mix of issues and obviously with its own formulations and I think certainly people wanted to capture the Black Sea grain corridor, they wanted to capture the concerns about the food infrastructure. They wanted to capture the fact that there was a dialogue taking place. So all those became new elements. If you know something came in the rest of it has to accommodate it. So I think, you know, this way of reading it and saying you know there's a departure from the past, yes there is, but then also please see what is new. You can't get new things If you don't give up some old things. WION: And so you've already mentioned about it, but the roles of the developing countries, we have successive presidencies, which are countries of the south- Indonesia, India, South Africa, Brazil. The role of these countries together is to make sure that a consensus emerges. Dr S Jaishankar: Looks to some extent, it was a convergence of outlook, that these countries thought in a similar way. But to some extent, it's a coincidence. We succeeded Indonesia, Brazil is succeeding us, and South Africa is coming after that. So you have 4 developing country presidencies also, that was also a factor but it was both, it was also a meeting of minds. WION: How was India able to bring the voice of the global south on the table, at the high table when the summit happened? We saw a number of countries from the global south Dr S Jaishankar: There were two to three aspects. One way we ourselves consciously decided that we would invite countries from the global south as our guests, is our prerogative. So, you have many more, global south countries than before in the G20. The second development of course was that in a sense by doing the voice of the global summit in January, we really shone the spotlight on the global south, and it needed to be done. Let me tell you I travelled a reasonable amount, countries in Africa and Latin America and Central America and Asia and the Pacific they were very, very upset, I would say even angry in some respects, at the fact that these years of COVID, the consequences of conflict, that somewhere they have just been left out. Their interest, their pain, and their concerns were not captured. So our effort was really to get all of that in, I think we succeeded to a great measure. WION: India invited a number of countries, in fact, nine countries, what was the idea of inviting these countries, all of them I believe, countries of the global south Dr S Jaishankar: No, some of them are actually countries that would traditionally attend, I mean, I don't know if you count Singapore as the global south anymore. Certainly, the Netherlands or Spain, have a tradition of attending but we did invite you to know, some of the others, Egypt, Mauritius and Nigeria, these were some examples. WION: The big focus was on Africa, the African Union becoming a member of the G 20. How does it choose India prioritizing its relationship with the African continent? Dr S Jaishankar: I think today that will certainly be seen, that is my understanding from our own embassies, that's how it is seen as India batting for Africa. The fact is that over the last decade, our development commitments to Africa have increased, and our training and capacity-building exchanges with Africa have increased. You know, the bulk of our new embassies which have been set up, the Prime Minister gave approval for 18 embassies in Africa, I think we have set up 15-16 by now. And even during the COVID, Africa saw as set forward. So what has happened is that the sense has grown in Africa that look, India is with you. Certainly, for us, there is a historical bonding, there is an emotion in our feelings and our relationship. I regard it as in a sense, a kind of an ethical, ethical outlook, to me, it's very similar to what we are doing now in India. In India, the commitment to leaving no one behind, the poorest, the most vulnerable, the most neglected areas should be brought up to speed, they should be given special care, and they should be given opportunity. That's what our domestic policy is about. So what we are doing at home, we are also trying to do in foreign policy. WION: I believe it was the Prime Minister's personal endeavour as well to make sure that the African Union becomes a member. Dr S Jaishankar: Very much so, in fact, it started last year when President Macky Sall of Senegal told him that our case, nobody is hearing us and the Prime Minister assured him that we will, our presidency is coming we will do something for you. So what he did after some thought was, he wrote to all the other members and said that India believes that we should make African Union members so I hope you will concur and they all did. But we needed somebody, needed somebody strong, clear, believers to take that plunge. WION: Sir, moving on to the G20, moving on to the consensus, any attempts by the Chinese to sabotage the conversations. Dr S Jaishankar: Again, I repeat to you, every one of the G 20 countries contributed otherwise we wouldn't have got the agreement, the unanimity, which we did. Yes, there were meetings where there were differences of views, especially in the ministerial meetings, but I think by the time the summit came together, people were of a very positive bent of mind. And I don't think it is fair to really cast any country in a negative light. I think, everybody really did their bit, to accommodate, to understand, to find some way forward. WION: The absence of the Chinese president, do you think it impacts the presence? Dr S Jaishankar: Look, I think that is their decision who represents them. WION: Climate change was another aspect, how does the G20 summit, the Delhi G20 summit, give direction or a new narrative to dealing with the issue of climate change, something that has been a pressing issue for the world? Dr S Jaishankar: Well, there is a big segment you would have seen in the outcome document, the green development pact and the whole issue is how to resource climate action and climate justice. That's really where the focus has been. We'll have to now take that forward. WION: Sir, another big focus was the connectivity project that was announced. How do you see it being a game-changer for the region? And for India, Middle East/West Asia and Europe. Dr S Jaishankar: I think it's a very, very significant initiative, because at one level it is rooted very deeply in tradition, for hundreds of thousands of years, people have been traversing this route from India to Europe and back through the gulf, through the Arabian Peninsula. So there's a long tradition, but it stopped for a variety of historical reasons. It has been reduced you can say. Today I think we have the circumstances, the fact that all the countries involved which you mentioned, they all are interested in reviving this tradition, but reviving it in a modern way so we are really looking at an economic corridor, partly maritime, partly railway, there will be other aspects for it, not just logistics, different aspects of economic activity. So I think it's an enormously promising initiative. Obviously, we'll have to work very hard and see how to take it forward. WION: Any details regarding the finances and the deadline or dateline, Dr S Jaishankar: I think you had an agreement, in principle right now, you have to be a little bit patient. WION: It's been welcomed by the Russian president as well as something we saw, but it's been seen as something which is counter to the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. Dr S Jaishankar: I would urge you to see things positively rather than see everything negatively in terms of countering other people. I think this is an initiative of very important countries, who are also good in it for themselves. They are not doing it because they are against somebody and something. They're doing it because they are for something. WION: India is still part of the troika, the governance system of the G20. Dr S Jaishankar: We are still part of the presidency of G20. WION: We have a session as well. Dr S Jaishankar: We are still President till the end of November. WION: Any details on the session we are planning in November Dr S Jaishankar: You mean...No No, not yet. WION: But essentially when it comes to the governance system, the troika, how do we plan to take forward the conversation? Dr S Jaishankar: You know that is a very smooth tradition, we were already part of troika, with Indonesia. So what happens is, there is this culture in the G20, the President before, the President after, the current presidency, they all sit and work together. So we've already done one part of it, and we are more or less at the end of the second part. So we will very smoothly go into the 3rd and the real idea is that the, you know, the initiatives should not have a shelf life limited to one presidency, it allows for a very smooth movement on to the next one, and hopefully to the next one after that. You share experiences, you support each other in this. So we received, I must say, tremendous support, from the Troika. And we will surely pay that back in full measure and more. Again, I would say again, for a country like India today. It's not just being part of troika, as this summit has demonstrated, we really gone up to a different level. Our influence is more, our ability to shape the agenda is more, the expectations from us are more, our responsibilities are more. So yes, certainly will be part of the troika next year. But I will say even after that. With in the G20, in other international groupings and organizations, in world affairs in general. I think this G20 has sent out a very clear message, that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is ready, is capable, is willing to really do more, shoulder more, and contribute more. I think that's a message that everybody, all the G20 countries, the invites, the international organisations, they all carried away from the summit. WION: So how did the Prime Minister give direction to the entire presidency? I believe the Prime Minister has also met the MEA officials as well. Dr S Jaishankar: Yes he was good enough to come to the G20 secretariat, frankly it was bit of a surprise for us because the Secretariat was holding its own meeting, then I said, I will drop by. And then when I went there, I was told well, possibility the prime minister may also drop by and thank people. He came there, he was good enough to spend some time there but you know, very typically, he used it he took feedback from people, you know there impressions, what could be different. What did they feel is a learning from the whole experience, but through this entire process, I would say we were enormously helped by the fact, that we had vision, the vision and ambition of the prime minister in taking forward the G20. A lot of the concepts were his, the idea we do it in different cities, we do it in this way, projecting our culture, our traditions. He was not happy, just officials meeting in rooms. For him what was the impact of that in the world. So he encouraged us to take it out, to involve universities, colleges, and professional organizations, and then when it came. Again, you know, if you look at a lot of the initiatives, the LIFE initiative, the lifestyle for Environment Initiative, the woman-led development initiative, the millet issue, a lot of these have a personal imprint on this. He spent really a lot of time thinking it through, planning it and motivating us. Sometimes pushing us really to do that, it could be big things, It could be very, you know, very, very fine details. He always has that sense, that look he was there, and as I said, in the last few hours, when we hit last few roadblocks, you know, I went to him in some cases and I said you know, it would help us, if you talk to your counterpart leader and he was always willing. WION: How will history remember the Delhi G20 summit? Dr S Jaishankar: I think history would remember it, as an inflection point, in the graph of a rising India that yes people would say that this was one of those big moments from shaping the agenda, creating a consensus, whether it was our organizational capability, whether it was demonstrating technology or culture. So this was India at its best, really stepping forward and doing something much bigger. And as you say, you know, expectations of a lot of people was that we wouldn't be able to pull it off, which we showed, we could. And not just could, if I say so for myself, we did it very very smoothly. The G20, if you have to write a G20 history, not an India history. I think anybody writing a G20 history would say this was probably one of the most substantive G20s, the kind of issues, you know, the reform of multilateral banks, handling debt, green development, food security, woman gender divide, mapping of skills, so, we've really taken on some very very consequential issues. These issues will determine the world's future in next decade. So, I think our history will remember as well, but surely the G20 history will also remember us well. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EAM Jaishankar to WION: G20 Summit marks an 'inflection point' for a rising India

In an exclusive interview with WION, External Affairs Minister, Dr. S Jaishankar, expressed his thoughts on India hosting the mega G20 summit, and how did Prime Minister gave direction to the entire presidency and more more.

EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: PM Modi is ready, is capable, is willing to do much more

While talking exclusively to WION, the External Affairs Minister said "G20 really generated a sense of optimism for diplomacy." It has been a very depressing profession for the last few years: Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, told senior WION Correspondent Siddhant Sibbal.

EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: "G20 summit marks an 'inflection point' for a rising India"

While talking exclusively to WION, the External Affairs Minister said "G20 really generated a sense of optimism for diplomacy." It has been a very depressing profession for the last few years: Dr. S. Jaishankar, India's External Affairs Minister, told senior Wion correspondent Siddhant Sibbal.

EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: "Our ties with G20 participants have been very strong"

In an exclusive interview with WION, External Affairs Minister, Dr S Jaishankar, expressed his thoughts on India hosting the mega G20 summit, listing out key areas in which India took the lead, including the inclusion of the African Union in the grouping. India hosted the summit on 9-10 September in Delhi which saw a gathering of over 20 top global leaders.

EAM Jaishankar Exclusive Interview: 'Our commitments to Africa have increased'

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, stated that the organization’s mission is being revised to include the eradication of poverty on a “liveable planet” as part of ongoing changes, according to a report by Mint.

The G20 has committed to making multilateral lending effective against poverty.

“There’s a lot of work going on with the World Bank on the reform agenda. It starts from redefining the vision of the bank, to not just be focused on poverty, although it’s important, but to also include a liveable planet,” Mint quoted Banga as saying.

He said the objective is to end poverty on a globe where people can live, and that by doing so, countries can broaden their perspectives to encompass climate change, pandemics, and fragility, all of which are linked to ending poverty.

As a former Mastercard executive chairman, Banga brought to light the necessity for cooperation among multilateral development banks on issues of digital governance and climate change, as well as the inclusion of the private sector to encourage investments in renewable energy in developing countries.

“I just announced a very big partnership with the Inter American Development Banks on the Amazon (region) on Caribbean climate and are digitising governance. We’ve also announced a private sector lab where N. Chandrasekharan (chairman) of Tata Sons is one of the members of that project led by (UN climate envoy) Mark Carney and (former UK minister) Shriti Vadera, and the idea is to get ideas from the private sector, asset managers and operators on what the bank can do to help facilitate much more investing in renewable energy in the emerging markets,” Mint quoted Banga as saying.

The Private Sector Investment Lab is concentrated on increasing financing for the infrastructure needed for the switch to renewable energy sources.

The New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Declaration on Saturday endorsed a roadmap for putting the group’s independent review of multilateral development bank (MDB) capital adequacy frameworks (CAFs) into action. This could result in an additional $200 billion in lending headroom over the following ten years for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and climate finance.

In the statement, G20 leaders recognised the need for a global system of financing for development that could assist developing nations, “in particular the poorest and most vulnerable,” in overcoming economic obstacles such as those brought on by climate change.

The chairman of one of the biggest development lenders in the world noted that as women made up more than 50 per cent of the employment, management, and social workforce, they needed to be “at the centre” of the reforms.

According to Banga, there are currently gaps in senior management engagement, remuneration, and opportunities for social and personal growth all over the world. The issue also affects wealthy countries. He said he believed that countries should concentrate their efforts on involving at least 50 per cent of the populace in that regard.

Since the developing world had a bigger percentage of a younger population, whose hopes represent the future, Banga suggested an equal focus must be placed on young people.

He said, “The trick is to give them quality of life when they are growing up—clean air, water, education, healthcare—once they grow into new jobs. You do those two things for them, and then they become the engine of your future. So our first part is vision and inclusion.”

Banga praised India’s initiatives to include the more than 1 billion members of the African Union into the G20, calling the action “excellent.” &nbsp;He said that just like India, the African continent is teeming with youthful people and that their success depends on their goals. He believes that India should be commended for pushing this effort; along with the assistance they received from other nations.

He complimented India’s efforts to reach an agreement on all topics and claimed that the country has set a course for the globe during its G20 chairmanship despite difficulties.

He believes that the declaration bears testament to the fact that the G20 leadership was able to compromise, find a fair solution, and establish a course for the globe. Saying that the G20 includes both rich and emerging nations, he noted that about 80 per cent of the global GDP was present there.

On Sunday, Banga met with Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister. Both&nbsp;expressed enthusiasm for the expert group’s Volume 2 report on strengthening multilateral development banks, which will be presented at the 4th meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in October in Morocco.

During the conference, Banga committed to collaborating closely with the Ministry of Finance’s department of economic affairs to develop a market structure from the demand side of corporate social responsibility for optimising its social impact.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, stated that the organization’s mission is being revised to include the eradication of poverty on a “liveable planet” as part of ongoing changes, according to a report by Mint.

On the sidelines of the G20 meeting in New Delhi, Ajay Banga, the president of the World Bank, stated that the organization’s mission is being revised to include the eradication of poverty on a “liveable planet” as part of ongoing changes, according to a report by Mint. The G20 has committed to making multilateral lending effective against poverty. “There’s a lot of work going on with the World Bank on the reform agenda. It starts from redefining the vision of the bank, to not just be focused on poverty, although it’s important, but to also include a liveable planet,” Mint quoted Banga as saying. He said the objective is to end poverty on a globe where people can live, and that by doing so, countries can broaden their perspectives to encompass climate change, pandemics, and fragility, all of which are linked to ending poverty. As a former Mastercard executive chairman, Banga brought to light the necessity for cooperation among multilateral development banks on issues of digital governance and climate change, as well as the inclusion of the private sector to encourage investments in renewable energy in developing countries. “I just announced a very big partnership with the Inter American Development Banks on the Amazon (region) on Caribbean climate and are digitising governance. We’ve also announced a private sector lab where N. Chandrasekharan (chairman) of Tata Sons is one of the members of that project led by (UN climate envoy) Mark Carney and (former UK minister) Shriti Vadera, and the idea is to get ideas from the private sector, asset managers and operators on what the bank can do to help facilitate much more investing in renewable energy in the emerging markets,” Mint quoted Banga as saying. The Private Sector Investment Lab is concentrated on increasing financing for the infrastructure needed for the switch to renewable energy sources. The New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Declaration on Saturday endorsed a roadmap for putting the group’s independent review of multilateral development bank (MDB) capital adequacy frameworks (CAFs) into action. This could result in an additional $200 billion in lending headroom over the following ten years for the sustainable development goals (SDGs) and climate finance. In the statement, G20 leaders recognised the need for a global system of financing for development that could assist developing nations, “in particular the poorest and most vulnerable,” in overcoming economic obstacles such as those brought on by climate change. The chairman of one of the biggest development lenders in the world noted that as women made up more than 50 per cent of the employment, management, and social workforce, they needed to be “at the centre” of the reforms. According to Banga, there are currently gaps in senior management engagement, remuneration, and opportunities for social and personal growth all over the world. The issue also affects wealthy countries. He said he believed that countries should concentrate their efforts on involving at least 50 per cent of the populace in that regard. Since the developing world had a bigger percentage of a younger population, whose hopes represent the future, Banga suggested an equal focus must be placed on young people. He said, “The trick is to give them quality of life when they are growing up—clean air, water, education, healthcare—once they grow into new jobs. You do those two things for them, and then they become the engine of your future. So our first part is vision and inclusion.” Banga praised India’s initiatives to include the more than 1 billion members of the African Union into the G20, calling the action “excellent.” He said that just like India, the African continent is teeming with youthful people and that their success depends on their goals. He believes that India should be commended for pushing this effort; along with the assistance they received from other nations. He complimented India’s efforts to reach an agreement on all topics and claimed that the country has set a course for the globe during its G20 chairmanship despite difficulties. He believes that the declaration bears testament to the fact that the G20 leadership was able to compromise, find a fair solution, and establish a course for the globe. Saying that the G20 includes both rich and emerging nations, he noted that about 80 per cent of the global GDP was present there. On Sunday, Banga met with Nirmala Sitharaman, India’s Finance Minister. Both expressed enthusiasm for the expert group’s Volume 2 report on strengthening multilateral development banks, which will be presented at the 4th meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors in October in Morocco. During the conference, Banga committed to collaborating closely with the Ministry of Finance’s department of economic affairs to develop a market structure from the demand side of corporate social responsibility for optimising its social impact. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

World Bank to redefine vision to progress towards a ‘livable planet’: Ajay Banga

On the eve of the G-20 Summit, North Korea declared the capability to operate a tactical nuclear submarine.

Even as the G-20, the world's primary economic powers, debated whether to include a reference to the Ukraine conflict in the Joint Communique issued following the Summit deliberations on September 9 and 10, North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK], claimed to have launched a tactical nuclear attack submarine, indicating a second-strike capability.&nbsp;

"A new powerful entity has emerged to demonstrate the rapid development of the Juche-based naval force all over the world in the glorious journey of ushering in a new era of a great prosperous and powerful country with the world-renowned tremendous national defence capabilities, unprecedented in the DPRK's nation-building history, under the outstanding leadership of the ever-victorious Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)," read a report on the website of state-media KCNA.

Simply put, this meant launching "a Korean-style tactical nuclear attack submarine..... to bolster up the DPRK's naval force..... to further strengthen the state nuclear deterrence both in quality and quantity and by leaps and bounds" ironically "for regional and global peace and security."&nbsp;

The launch took place two days earlier, on September 6, but the public announcement was made on September 8, the eve of the G-20 Summit. The summit was held in New Delhi, India on September 9 and 10.

Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's State Affairs Commission, was present, as were senior officials from the party, government, and military, including Marshal Ri Pyong Chol, Marshal Pak Jong Chon, Cabinet Premier Kim Tok Hun, and Admiral Kim Myong Si.

Watch | Kim-Putin meet: North Korea's Kim Jong-un chooses Russia as first foreign visit since 2019

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/kim-putin-meet-north-koreas-kim-jong-un-chooses-russia-as-first-foreign-visit-since-2019-635592/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Marshal Ri Pyong Chol delivered the order of the WPK's Central Military Commission transferring the tactical nuclear attack submarine No. 841 to the KPA Navy's East Sea Fleet and naming it the "Hero Kim Kun Ok."

Marshal Ri Pyong Chol ordered the submarine's launch once the plant manager notified him that it was ready for launch. Kim had previously examined the tactical nuclear submarine "Hero Kim Kun Ok" in preparation for a trial trip on September 7.

<h2>Evaluation of submarine's capabilities</h2>

Experts who have analysed the specifications of the submarine are skeptical.&nbsp;

"An analysis of the external features of the North Korean submarine so far shows that parts of it have been enlarged to carry a missile," a Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) officer told reporters, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.

"However, it is assessed that (the submarine) is not in the form of being capable of normal operation," the official added, indicating probable North Korean hyperbole.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-assures-to-build-satellites-for-north-korea-kim-supports-sacred-battle-with-west-635566">Putin assures to build satellites for North Korea, Kim supports ‘sacred battle’ with West</a>

According to Reuters, other researchers have reached similar conclusions since the "Hero Kim Kun Ok" is "a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine that North Korea acquired from China in the 1970s and began producing domestically."&nbsp;

Its configuration, with ten launch tube hatches, indicates that it is most likely equipped with ballistic and cruise missiles." The ageing submarine fleet is said to be loud during operation, making its detection by the enemy easier.

At the same time, there are concerns about the development of a military technological cooperation framework between North Korea and Russia, which might include nuclear-powered submarine technology, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Vladivostok for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a trade involving munitions for nuclear technology might raise new worries about North East Asia's stability.

<h2>Regional importance</h2>

The North Korean launch of the so-called tactical nuclear attack submarine came only weeks after the leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan met at Camp David to reaffirm their strong commitment to coordinated efforts at extended deterrence and intelligence sharing.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/you-scratch-my-back-i-scratch-yours-whats-the-new-interdependent-kim-putin-dynamic-635224">Explained | You scratch my back, I scratch yours: What's the new interdependent Kim-Putin dynamic?</a>

The launch also came just days after South Korea and the United States completed an 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield 2023 exercise with some provocative posturing.

Given the current patterns of escalatory movements by all parties - the US, South Korea, and the North Korea - peace and security on the Korean Peninsula will remain elusive even as global space is disputed in varied ways.&nbsp;

<h2>Timing with respect to G20 Summit</h2>

The North Korean tactical nuclear assault submarine was launched shortly before the DPRK's 75th foundation day, but all eyes were on the impact it would have on the G-20 Summit, which began the next day in New Delhi.

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are included in the G20. The G20 countries account for around 85% of worldwide GDP, more than 75% of global commerce, and almost two-thirds of global population. Apart from the main topics of economics, finance, and trade, the 2023 Chair of G-20, India, performed a wide range of activities with a whole-of-government approach spanning from tourism to climate change.

What is concerning is that India's stellar achievements in mobilising G20 members on a variety of economic issues could have been overshadowed by the ferocity of geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine, the India-China Line of Actual Control standoff, and then North Korea's alleged demonstration of a tactical nuclear submarine. An agreement due on this topic could have been in question, which the US and South Korea would very certainly would have wanted to include in the Joint Communique despite likely opposition from China and Russia. The United States and its allies had condemned North Korea's missile tests conducted on July 25, 2023 and warned of further sanctions if the country continued to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

In March 2023, North Korea announced that it was developing a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), but all this culminating into this early a launch wasn’t expected. This shows the growing threat of nuclear proliferation in the Asian region. The development of a nuclear-powered submarine is considered to be a significant escalation of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. It is feared to have given North Korea the ability to launch nuclear strikes from anywhere in the world, without the need to rely on land-based missiles, which are more vulnerable to attack.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

On the eve of the G-20 Summit, North Korea declared the capability to operate a tactical nuclear submarine. Even as the G-20, the world's primary economic powers, debated whether to include a reference to the Ukraine conflict in the Joint Communique issued following the Summit deliberations on September 9 and 10, North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK], claimed to have launched a tactical nuclear attack submarine, indicating a second-strike capability.

On the eve of the G-20 Summit, North Korea declared the capability to operate a tactical nuclear submarine. Even as the G-20, the world's primary economic powers, debated whether to include a reference to the Ukraine conflict in the Joint Communique issued following the Summit deliberations on September 9 and 10, North Korea, officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [DPRK], claimed to have launched a tactical nuclear attack submarine, indicating a second-strike capability. "A new powerful entity has emerged to demonstrate the rapid development of the Juche-based naval force all over the world in the glorious journey of ushering in a new era of a great prosperous and powerful country with the world-renowned tremendous national defence capabilities, unprecedented in the DPRK's nation-building history, under the outstanding leadership of the ever-victorious Workers' Party of Korea (WPK)," read a report on the website of state-media KCNA. Simply put, this meant launching "a Korean-style tactical nuclear attack submarine..... to bolster up the DPRK's naval force..... to further strengthen the state nuclear deterrence both in quality and quantity and by leaps and bounds" ironically "for regional and global peace and security." The launch took place two days earlier, on September 6, but the public announcement was made on September 8, the eve of the G-20 Summit. The summit was held in New Delhi, India on September 9 and 10. Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's State Affairs Commission, was present, as were senior officials from the party, government, and military, including Marshal Ri Pyong Chol, Marshal Pak Jong Chon, Cabinet Premier Kim Tok Hun, and Admiral Kim Myong Si. Watch | Kim-Putin meet: North Korea's Kim Jong-un chooses Russia as first foreign visit since 2019 × Marshal Ri Pyong Chol delivered the order of the WPK's Central Military Commission transferring the tactical nuclear attack submarine No. 841 to the KPA Navy's East Sea Fleet and naming it the "Hero Kim Kun Ok." Marshal Ri Pyong Chol ordered the submarine's launch once the plant manager notified him that it was ready for launch. Kim had previously examined the tactical nuclear submarine "Hero Kim Kun Ok" in preparation for a trial trip on September 7. Evaluation of submarine's capabilities Experts who have analysed the specifications of the submarine are skeptical. "An analysis of the external features of the North Korean submarine so far shows that parts of it have been enlarged to carry a missile," a Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) officer told reporters, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. "However, it is assessed that (the submarine) is not in the form of being capable of normal operation," the official added, indicating probable North Korean hyperbole. Also Read | Putin assures to build satellites for North Korea, Kim supports ‘sacred battle’ with West According to Reuters, other researchers have reached similar conclusions since the "Hero Kim Kun Ok" is "a modified Soviet-era Romeo-class submarine that North Korea acquired from China in the 1970s and began producing domestically." Its configuration, with ten launch tube hatches, indicates that it is most likely equipped with ballistic and cruise missiles." The ageing submarine fleet is said to be loud during operation, making its detection by the enemy easier. At the same time, there are concerns about the development of a military technological cooperation framework between North Korea and Russia, which might include nuclear-powered submarine technology, as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un arrives in Vladivostok for a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a trade involving munitions for nuclear technology might raise new worries about North East Asia's stability. Regional importance The North Korean launch of the so-called tactical nuclear attack submarine came only weeks after the leaders of the United States, South Korea, and Japan met at Camp David to reaffirm their strong commitment to coordinated efforts at extended deterrence and intelligence sharing. Also Read | Explained | You scratch my back, I scratch yours: What's the new interdependent Kim-Putin dynamic? The launch also came just days after South Korea and the United States completed an 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield 2023 exercise with some provocative posturing. Given the current patterns of escalatory movements by all parties - the US, South Korea, and the North Korea - peace and security on the Korean Peninsula will remain elusive even as global space is disputed in varied ways. Timing with respect to G20 Summit The North Korean tactical nuclear assault submarine was launched shortly before the DPRK's 75th foundation day, but all eyes were on the impact it would have on the G-20 Summit, which began the next day in New Delhi. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are included in the G20. The G20 countries account for around 85% of worldwide GDP, more than 75% of global commerce, and almost two-thirds of global population. Apart from the main topics of economics, finance, and trade, the 2023 Chair of G-20, India, performed a wide range of activities with a whole-of-government approach spanning from tourism to climate change. What is concerning is that India's stellar achievements in mobilising G20 members on a variety of economic issues could have been overshadowed by the ferocity of geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine, the India-China Line of Actual Control standoff, and then North Korea's alleged demonstration of a tactical nuclear submarine. An agreement due on this topic could have been in question, which the US and South Korea would very certainly would have wanted to include in the Joint Communique despite likely opposition from China and Russia. The United States and its allies had condemned North Korea's missile tests conducted on July 25, 2023 and warned of further sanctions if the country continued to develop its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. In March 2023, North Korea announced that it was developing a new type of submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), but all this culminating into this early a launch wasn’t expected. This shows the growing threat of nuclear proliferation in the Asian region. The development of a nuclear-powered submarine is considered to be a significant escalation of North Korea's nuclear weapons program. It is feared to have given North Korea the ability to launch nuclear strikes from anywhere in the world, without the need to rely on land-based missiles, which are more vulnerable to attack. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

North Korea’s nuclear submarine: Coincidence or hostile timing?

Delhi recently hosted delegates from 40 nations for the G20 Summit but sources say that on the first day of the summit that was on the September 8th. A high voltage drama unfolded at the Taj Hotel where the Chinese delegation was staying, police sources say that the Chinese delegation carried a suspiciously large into the hotel.

India G20 2023: What was Chinese delegation carrying in the 'suspicious' bag? | World News | WION

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak was heavily criticized by MPS in the UK Parliament. The MPs slammed Sunak for having his soft stance against Russia in the G20 leaders' declaration.

UK MPs grill Sunak in Parliament for not securing tougher stance against Russia in G20

Ugo Astuto, the European Union's Ambassador to India, has lauded India's recent G20 Summit as a major achievement in global diplomacy.

Astuto commended India's presidency for its ability to "bring together the international community to make the G20 relevant."&nbsp;

Speaking to WION, Astuto highlighted the pivotal issues discussed during the summit, including "climate change, digital transition, and also the pursuit of sustainable development goals, and also women's empowerment."

He emphasised that these topics received the spotlight they deserved on this prestigious international platform.

One particularly noteworthy outcome of the summit was the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g20-summit-how-diplomacy-of-modis-bharat-pulled-off-african-unions-inclusion-634443">inclusion of the African Union in the G20</a>, which Astuto termed "a major positive development."

He expressed confidence that the African Union's involvement would enrich the conversations and decisions made within the G20.&nbsp;

Reflecting on the European Union's role in achieving consensus during the summit, Astuto stated, "We must all work together for the pursuit of sustainable development goals just to make an example."&nbsp;

Regarding his tenure as the EU Ambassador to India, Astuto pointed out key milestones, including the decision to "resume the negotiation for a free trade agreement."

He also noted the establishment of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), describing these as significant steps towards elevating the EU-India strategic partnership.

Here is the full interview

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/ambassador-of-european-union-to-india-talks-to-wion-about-how-important-india-is-for-eu-635379/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Sidhant Sibal: Welcome to WION and I know that this is perhaps your last interview before you leave the country with fond memories. If you can sum up your ambassadorship here in New Delhi.

Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;Thank you. Yes, I think I've been privileged to serve India in this period where we have seen this progress in our strategic partnership. Let me recall some landmark moments. Let me start with the summit in 2021. The decision was taken to resume the negotiation for a free trade agreement.

So it was a very particular summit because we had all member states, together with the Prime Minister.

And I think it was very clear evidence of the sheer determination to bring this relationship to a new level.&nbsp;And then we had the visit of the President of the European Commission in 2022.

And the announcement of the creation of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which finally met for the first edition not so long ago, in Brussels. Here now I ended on a happy note with a visit of both Presidents for the G20 summit and they also had the possibility to meet bilaterally with Prime Minister Modi and reiterate our intention to progress in practically all dimensions of our relationship.

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;But essentially, as you pointed out to TTC, if you can, perhaps talk about how it came about and what is the future like in terms of this platform being an area of engagement between the Indian and the European ministers. 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;Yes, well, I'm sure you're aware, we already have another instance of trade and Technology Council with the United States. And this gives you already a flavour of how important it is for us, this sort of format. It's a format that brings together three ministers from the Indian side and two or more vice presidents depending on the topics discussed. On the agenda, you have issues which are crucial, which are about the nexus between trade and technology, and I'm told that the conversation in Brussels was extremely thorough, and it made evident how convergent we are on a number of topics. Let's say the resilience of supply chains for instance, or the need to foster green technology. So these are the sorts of topics that we shall see also in the next in the next meeting of the TTC which is bound to happen.

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;So can you give us any update of the free trade agreement negotiations, we saw the trade commissioner was here in Delhi. He briefed on that in that extensive press conference. But for our viewers, if you can give us an overview of where the talks have progressed. 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;Yes, well, we have had five rounds of talks and we note progress. There will be another round in Brussels around the month of October. We saw the trade commissioner, Vice President's visit to India, it was to Jaipur for the G20 and then we had a high-level dialogue with minister (Piyush) Goyal.

And what struck me in these interactions was not just the friendly atmosphere, but also the determination shown by both sides to progress. India as the fifth largest economy is on its way to becoming the third largest.

The EU is the largest trade bloc globally. I think a free trade agreement would be a big price for both.

Sidhant Sibal: There must be some challenges as well, perhaps if you want to talk about that as well. Something that you think that you missed or you would like to see it happening as well. 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;Look, I think the major challenge for me, as well as my predecessor or successor, is to translate this strategic partnership into operational deliverables. I think we have started to do so but the potential is still considerable.

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;&nbsp;How does the EU see India in today's world? I know there has been engagement, you pointed to TTC, but in terms of all the other countries in the region, you have China, Africa, and with the US you have a special relationship. In relative terms how important India is for the EU? 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think we see this relationship grow by the day and it's natural because we have shared values. We are both democratic countries, open societies, and we have converging interests, for instance, in upholding the UN Charter and making sure that the rules-based world order remains underpinned by international law.&nbsp;

And then based on shared values and converging interests, we can together address global challenges, which are becoming more crucial by the day. I'm referring to climate change. I think both India and the European Union start from the same proposition that we need to act fast and act now. And that's why we have now a pretty good and extensive conversation on how to do so. How to look for instance at the greener energy mix. In the digital transition, we want to promote innovation.

We want to foster competition, but also we also want to protect the individual rights and freedoms of our citizens. So we need to look closely at data protection for instance. And that's another topic where the EU and India can mutually benefit by exchanging experiences. These are just a few examples, there can be many others, in security, in defence, in academic cooperation.

And in general terms, I think in scientific endeavours, India and the EU can learn a lot from each other. Most recently we have seen a great success of the Indian Space Scientists, and it was good to see that actually there was cooperation with the European Space Agency also supporting this major endeavour.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: In your tenure, you saw conflict in Europe. Your assessment...

Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;&nbsp;I think I respect the Indian position, we understand its constraints. We see in Europe, unfortunately, an instance of a major violation of the UN Charter. Totally unjustified aggression against the peaceful neighbour.&nbsp;It's important that the international community comes together, condemns the aggression and takes action to stop it. The Russians must withdraw the troops and get back to the internationally recognised borders.

But I think what the Prime Minister says is not the time for war is evidence of the fact that India can play a very positive role.

Sidhant Sibal:&nbsp;So now coming to G20. How do you see the Indian presidency of the G20? The summit just got over the weekend. And we saw that consensus as well.

Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think it has been a great success for the Indian new presidency to bring together the international community to make the G20 relevant.&nbsp;If you look at the discussions held you see some of the topics we have already mentioned: climate change, digital transition, and also the pursuit of sustainable development goals, and also women's empowerment, getting the spotlight in this major international platform. So I definitely think that India deserves to be commended, but let me mention specifically the inclusion of the African Union in G20.&nbsp;I think a major positive development and the African Union will bring added value to the conversation.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: Role EU Played in Joint Statement. So if you can talk about the EU's role in making sure that joint statement came. 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think we have tried to help the Indian Presidency in reaching consensus.&nbsp;The topics were very relevant for the international community.&nbsp;We must all work together for the pursuit of sustainable development goals just to make an example. So I think we did our best to support the Indian presidency in circumstances far from easy, in a very difficult international setting.

Sidhant Sibal: But about the joint statement, Delhi joint statement versus the Bali joint statement, these paras never condemned Russia, something perhaps you would have liked to see but essentially do you see a step back by the European Union, by the Western world on the issue? 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think we need to look at this statement and the statement contains very important facts and principles. So there is a clear call for respect of the UN Charter, respect for territorial integrity and the sovereignty of states as there is the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, it is termed as unacceptable. Clear ask to resume as soon as possible, the Black Sea grain initiative, there is a call for just and durable peace. So I think these are all very important principles.

Sidhant Sibal: We also saw a tweet by the Ukrainian government spokesperson saying that the 20 statements are nothing to be proud of. Do you agree with this statement? 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;&nbsp;Look, our support for Ukraine is staunch and remains so and we have tried to support Ukraine from the very beginning and we will continue to do so. So nothing has changed when it comes to our strong support for Ukraine. The fight for&nbsp;Ukraine,&nbsp;for freedom, for independence, for democracy is also our fight.

Sidhant Sibal: Over the weekend we did the mega connectivity project, the project that connects India to the Middle East to Europe.&nbsp;&nbsp;How do you see this connectivity project as a game changer when it comes to the region? 
 
Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think it's a very important development.&nbsp;Yes, it's about building connectivity bridges, which are underpinned by transparency, principles of inclusivity and sustainability, social sustainability, fiscal sustainability.&nbsp;The European Union has already in place a major policy initiative in this respect, you're familiar with that Global Gateway, so we have set aside 300 billion euros for the year 2021- 2027, precisely for them, to build sustainable infrastructure. And I think this new initiative that brings India with the Middle East with the US, will fit perfectly to that framework. So it is a very momentous decision and a very, very significant development.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: But so any details as to how this project will come up, as of now we have seen the vision statement, fact sheet by the White House but essentially how things will go about in terms of who will put in the money, which port will be used, which railroads will be used? Are we going to build new rail railroads, if you can shed some light on the details? 
 
Ugo Astuto: The work is starting now, all the parties will come together and see what priorities to define. But from our side again, if you look at Global Gateway, you get the general flavor, and idea of what we can do when it comes to the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor.

Sidhant Sibal: Has this corridor been seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative?

Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;I think this project deserves to be seen on its own merit.&nbsp;The principles are publicly negotiated and I think it's a positive agenda. So I would look at it as its own feature,&nbsp;It's not directed against anyone. It's a positive project that brings together a number of partners who are convinced that we need to work for infrastructure which is sustainable, and which needs to be developed in a transparent and inclusive fashion.&nbsp;

Sidhant Sibal: My last question and perhaps your last public word as well, as you demit office.&nbsp;&nbsp;Future of India and the EU in today's world. If you can give your answer to this, I know it's a generic question but I want this because this will be the word that history will perhaps remember&nbsp;

Ugo Astuto:&nbsp;Thank you. I definitely in my humble opinion that we have ample scope for progressing further. We have made great strides and I think the potential is huge. And I'm pretty sure that we'll see in the years to come the strategic partnership going from strength to strength.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Ugo Astuto, the European Union's Ambassador to India, has lauded India's recent G20 Summit as a major achievement in global diplomacy. Astuto commended India's presidency for its ability to "bring together the international community to make the G20 relevant.

Ugo Astuto, the European Union's Ambassador to India, has lauded India's recent G20 Summit as a major achievement in global diplomacy. Astuto commended India's presidency for its ability to "bring together the international community to make the G20 relevant." Speaking to WION, Astuto highlighted the pivotal issues discussed during the summit, including "climate change, digital transition, and also the pursuit of sustainable development goals, and also women's empowerment." He emphasised that these topics received the spotlight they deserved on this prestigious international platform. One particularly noteworthy outcome of the summit was the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, which Astuto termed "a major positive development." He expressed confidence that the African Union's involvement would enrich the conversations and decisions made within the G20. Reflecting on the European Union's role in achieving consensus during the summit, Astuto stated, "We must all work together for the pursuit of sustainable development goals just to make an example." Regarding his tenure as the EU Ambassador to India, Astuto pointed out key milestones, including the decision to "resume the negotiation for a free trade agreement." He also noted the establishment of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), describing these as significant steps towards elevating the EU-India strategic partnership. Here is the full interview × Sidhant Sibal: Welcome to WION and I know that this is perhaps your last interview before you leave the country with fond memories. If you can sum up your ambassadorship here in New Delhi. Ugo Astuto: Thank you. Yes, I think I've been privileged to serve India in this period where we have seen this progress in our strategic partnership. Let me recall some landmark moments. Let me start with the summit in 2021. The decision was taken to resume the negotiation for a free trade agreement. So it was a very particular summit because we had all member states, together with the Prime Minister. And I think it was very clear evidence of the sheer determination to bring this relationship to a new level. And then we had the visit of the President of the European Commission in 2022. And the announcement of the creation of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which finally met for the first edition not so long ago, in Brussels. Here now I ended on a happy note with a visit of both Presidents for the G20 summit and they also had the possibility to meet bilaterally with Prime Minister Modi and reiterate our intention to progress in practically all dimensions of our relationship. Sidhant Sibal: But essentially, as you pointed out to TTC, if you can, perhaps talk about how it came about and what is the future like in terms of this platform being an area of engagement between the Indian and the European ministers. Ugo Astuto: Yes, well, I'm sure you're aware, we already have another instance of trade and Technology Council with the United States. And this gives you already a flavour of how important it is for us, this sort of format. It's a format that brings together three ministers from the Indian side and two or more vice presidents depending on the topics discussed. On the agenda, you have issues which are crucial, which are about the nexus between trade and technology, and I'm told that the conversation in Brussels was extremely thorough, and it made evident how convergent we are on a number of topics. Let's say the resilience of supply chains for instance, or the need to foster green technology. So these are the sorts of topics that we shall see also in the next in the next meeting of the TTC which is bound to happen. Sidhant Sibal: So can you give us any update of the free trade agreement negotiations, we saw the trade commissioner was here in Delhi. He briefed on that in that extensive press conference. But for our viewers, if you can give us an overview of where the talks have progressed. Ugo Astuto: Yes, well, we have had five rounds of talks and we note progress. There will be another round in Brussels around the month of October. We saw the trade commissioner, Vice President's visit to India, it was to Jaipur for the G20 and then we had a high-level dialogue with minister (Piyush) Goyal. And what struck me in these interactions was not just the friendly atmosphere, but also the determination shown by both sides to progress. India as the fifth largest economy is on its way to becoming the third largest. The EU is the largest trade bloc globally. I think a free trade agreement would be a big price for both. Sidhant Sibal: There must be some challenges as well, perhaps if you want to talk about that as well. Something that you think that you missed or you would like to see it happening as well. Ugo Astuto: Look, I think the major challenge for me, as well as my predecessor or successor, is to translate this strategic partnership into operational deliverables. I think we have started to do so but the potential is still considerable. Sidhant Sibal: How does the EU see India in today's world? I know there has been engagement, you pointed to TTC, but in terms of all the other countries in the region, you have China, Africa, and with the US you have a special relationship. In relative terms how important India is for the EU? Ugo Astuto: I think we see this relationship grow by the day and it's natural because we have shared values. We are both democratic countries, open societies, and we have converging interests, for instance, in upholding the UN Charter and making sure that the rules-based world order remains underpinned by international law. And then based on shared values and converging interests, we can together address global challenges, which are becoming more crucial by the day. I'm referring to climate change. I think both India and the European Union start from the same proposition that we need to act fast and act now. And that's why we have now a pretty good and extensive conversation on how to do so. How to look for instance at the greener energy mix. In the digital transition, we want to promote innovation. We want to foster competition, but also we also want to protect the individual rights and freedoms of our citizens. So we need to look closely at data protection for instance. And that's another topic where the EU and India can mutually benefit by exchanging experiences. These are just a few examples, there can be many others, in security, in defence, in academic cooperation. And in general terms, I think in scientific endeavours, India and the EU can learn a lot from each other. Most recently we have seen a great success of the Indian Space Scientists, and it was good to see that actually there was cooperation with the European Space Agency also supporting this major endeavour. Sidhant Sibal: In your tenure, you saw conflict in Europe. Your assessment... Ugo Astuto: I think I respect the Indian position, we understand its constraints. We see in Europe, unfortunately, an instance of a major violation of the UN Charter. Totally unjustified aggression against the peaceful neighbour. It's important that the international community comes together, condemns the aggression and takes action to stop it. The Russians must withdraw the troops and get back to the internationally recognised borders. But I think what the Prime Minister says is not the time for war is evidence of the fact that India can play a very positive role. Sidhant Sibal: So now coming to G20. How do you see the Indian presidency of the G20? The summit just got over the weekend. And we saw that consensus as well. Ugo Astuto: I think it has been a great success for the Indian new presidency to bring together the international community to make the G20 relevant. If you look at the discussions held you see some of the topics we have already mentioned: climate change, digital transition, and also the pursuit of sustainable development goals, and also women's empowerment, getting the spotlight in this major international platform. So I definitely think that India deserves to be commended, but let me mention specifically the inclusion of the African Union in G20. I think a major positive development and the African Union will bring added value to the conversation. Sidhant Sibal: Role EU Played in Joint Statement. So if you can talk about the EU's role in making sure that joint statement came. Ugo Astuto: I think we have tried to help the Indian Presidency in reaching consensus. The topics were very relevant for the international community. We must all work together for the pursuit of sustainable development goals just to make an example. So I think we did our best to support the Indian presidency in circumstances far from easy, in a very difficult international setting. Sidhant Sibal: But about the joint statement, Delhi joint statement versus the Bali joint statement, these paras never condemned Russia, something perhaps you would have liked to see but essentially do you see a step back by the European Union, by the Western world on the issue? Ugo Astuto: I think we need to look at this statement and the statement contains very important facts and principles. So there is a clear call for respect of the UN Charter, respect for territorial integrity and the sovereignty of states as there is the threat of the use of nuclear weapons, it is termed as unacceptable. Clear ask to resume as soon as possible, the Black Sea grain initiative, there is a call for just and durable peace. So I think these are all very important principles. Sidhant Sibal: We also saw a tweet by the Ukrainian government spokesperson saying that the 20 statements are nothing to be proud of. Do you agree with this statement? Ugo Astuto: Look, our support for Ukraine is staunch and remains so and we have tried to support Ukraine from the very beginning and we will continue to do so. So nothing has changed when it comes to our strong support for Ukraine. The fight for Ukraine, for freedom, for independence, for democracy is also our fight. Sidhant Sibal: Over the weekend we did the mega connectivity project, the project that connects India to the Middle East to Europe. How do you see this connectivity project as a game changer when it comes to the region? Ugo Astuto: I think it's a very important development. Yes, it's about building connectivity bridges, which are underpinned by transparency, principles of inclusivity and sustainability, social sustainability, fiscal sustainability. The European Union has already in place a major policy initiative in this respect, you're familiar with that Global Gateway, so we have set aside 300 billion euros for the year 2021- 2027, precisely for them, to build sustainable infrastructure. And I think this new initiative that brings India with the Middle East with the US, will fit perfectly to that framework. So it is a very momentous decision and a very, very significant development. Sidhant Sibal: But so any details as to how this project will come up, as of now we have seen the vision statement, fact sheet by the White House but essentially how things will go about in terms of who will put in the money, which port will be used, which railroads will be used? Are we going to build new rail railroads, if you can shed some light on the details? Ugo Astuto: The work is starting now, all the parties will come together and see what priorities to define. But from our side again, if you look at Global Gateway, you get the general flavor, and idea of what we can do when it comes to the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor. Sidhant Sibal: Has this corridor been seen as a counter to China's Belt and Road Initiative? Ugo Astuto: I think this project deserves to be seen on its own merit. The principles are publicly negotiated and I think it's a positive agenda. So I would look at it as its own feature, It's not directed against anyone. It's a positive project that brings together a number of partners who are convinced that we need to work for infrastructure which is sustainable, and which needs to be developed in a transparent and inclusive fashion. Sidhant Sibal: My last question and perhaps your last public word as well, as you demit office. Future of India and the EU in today's world. If you can give your answer to this, I know it's a generic question but I want this because this will be the word that history will perhaps remember Ugo Astuto: Thank you. I definitely in my humble opinion that we have ample scope for progressing further. We have made great strides and I think the potential is huge. And I'm pretty sure that we'll see in the years to come the strategic partnership going from strength to strength. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EU Ambassador Ugo Astuto applauds India's G20 presidency as a success story

A historic agreement at the G20 summit in New Delhi is in focus as world leaders unite to chart a greener future. They have agreed to triple the world's renewable energy capacity by the year 2030. This move comes as part of their efforts to combat climate change. However, as of now, no major climate goals have been set during the summit.

G20 leaders agree to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau who is still in New Delhi after his G20 participation may finally fly back this afternoon. The 51-year-old and his delegation were forced to stay back in the Indian Capital after their official aircraft encountered 'technical failures'.

Canada PM Justin Trudeau stuck in New Delhi due to jet's technical failures

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation, who were initially slated to depart from New Delhi on Sunday (September 10), left for Canada on Tuesday afternoon around 2 pm IST (September 11).

This makes Trudeau the last leader to fly out of India after the grand G-20 Summit held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10.

The underlying cause of the delay has been attributed&nbsp;to technical issues with their aircraft.&nbsp;

Earlier, CBC News reported that the Canadian Air Force's&nbsp;CC-150 Polaris plane, which was on its way to pick up Trudeau, was also diverted to London.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeaus-aircraft-develops-technical-issues-to-stay-back-in-india-634665">Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's aircraft develops technical issues</a>

This is not the first instance where challenges have arisen during a visit by the Canadian Prime Minister to India.

In 2018, a convicted person&nbsp;who had attempted to assassinate an Indian politician on Canadian soil was inadvertently included on Canada's guest list for an event, as reported by Bloomberg.

Amid strained relations between India and Canada, the recent snag incident unfolded. New Delhi has consistently raised concerns over Toronto's inaction against Khalistani elements, often linking it to the Trudeau government's pursuit of a voter base.

During discussions on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his apprehensions to Trudeau regarding the ongoing activities of Khalistani elements on Canadian soil.

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement, noting, "He (PM Modi) conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship."

However, Trudeau remained non-committal regarding action against Khalistani elements, stating, "Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest."

On the same day, an anti-India referendum was held at the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, featuring the presence of Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.

Trudeau's India trip was relatively low-key, with his absence from the G20 leaders' dinner on Saturday raising questions. While the Canadian PMO did not disclose the reason, CTV News reported the development.

An awkward moment occurred during the event when G20 leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. PM Modi attempted to hold Trudeau's hand, but Trudeau withdrew, as reported by CTV News.

Trudeau, who did shake PM Modi's hand, was the sole leader to withdraw from the extended handhold, according to the report. When asked about it, the Canadian Prime Minister suggested that people could interpret the gesture as they wished.

Also watch |&nbsp;Justin Trudeau to stay another night in India after plane develops snag

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/justin-trudeau-to-stay-another-night-in-india-after-plane-develops-snag-634886/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>Infrastructure debate</h2>

Additionally, the delayed travel arrangements for Prime Minister Trudeau have reignited discussions regarding the ageing state of Canada's official aircraft. The&nbsp;aircraft, Airbus A310s, dates back to the 1980s and has required refuelling stops for Trudeau's journeys to Asia, often involving layovers in Alaska and Japan, according to Bloomberg.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

<iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe>

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation, who were initially slated to depart from New Delhi on Sunday (September 10), left for Canada on Tuesday afternoon around 2 pm IST (September 11).

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation, who were initially slated to depart from New Delhi on Sunday (September 10), left for Canada on Tuesday afternoon around 2 pm IST (September 11). This makes Trudeau the last leader to fly out of India after the grand G-20 Summit held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10. The underlying cause of the delay has been attributed to technical issues with their aircraft. Earlier, CBC News reported that the Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris plane, which was on its way to pick up Trudeau, was also diverted to London. Also read | Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's aircraft develops technical issues This is not the first instance where challenges have arisen during a visit by the Canadian Prime Minister to India. In 2018, a convicted person who had attempted to assassinate an Indian politician on Canadian soil was inadvertently included on Canada's guest list for an event, as reported by Bloomberg. Amid strained relations between India and Canada, the recent snag incident unfolded. New Delhi has consistently raised concerns over Toronto's inaction against Khalistani elements, often linking it to the Trudeau government's pursuit of a voter base. During discussions on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his apprehensions to Trudeau regarding the ongoing activities of Khalistani elements on Canadian soil. The Prime Minister's Office released a statement, noting, "He (PM Modi) conveyed our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship." However, Trudeau remained non-committal regarding action against Khalistani elements, stating, "Canada would always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest." On the same day, an anti-India referendum was held at the Guru Nanak Singh Gurdwara in Canada's Surrey, featuring the presence of Khalistani separatist and Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) founder Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. Trudeau's India trip was relatively low-key, with his absence from the G20 leaders' dinner on Saturday raising questions. While the Canadian PMO did not disclose the reason, CTV News reported the development. An awkward moment occurred during the event when G20 leaders paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat. PM Modi attempted to hold Trudeau's hand, but Trudeau withdrew, as reported by CTV News. Trudeau, who did shake PM Modi's hand, was the sole leader to withdraw from the extended handhold, according to the report. When asked about it, the Canadian Prime Minister suggested that people could interpret the gesture as they wished. Also watch | Justin Trudeau to stay another night in India after plane develops snag Infrastructure debate Additionally, the delayed travel arrangements for Prime Minister Trudeau have reignited discussions regarding the ageing state of Canada's official aircraft. The aircraft, Airbus A310s, dates back to the 1980s and has required refuelling stops for Trudeau's journeys to Asia, often involving layovers in Alaska and Japan, according to Bloomberg. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Trudeau, delegation finally depart India after 'never-ending' G20 trip

Building on G20 momentum, the never-tiring Indian PM Narendra Modi will today host Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman with the objective of turning the Middle-East corridor project into reality and cementing bilateral ties with a rapidly rising West Asian global power.

Indian PM and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince to hold Bilateral talks

The G20 Delhi declaration is driving significant reforms within the World Bank and reshaping its vision. World Bank president Ajay Banga outlined the institution's focus on addressing critical global challenges.

G20 declaration spurs World Bank reforms & vision revamp

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday made a renewed push for expansion of the UN Security Council and reforms in all global institutions to reflect the world’s “new realities”, as the G20 summit drew to a close with the US, Russia, and France praising the meeting outcomes under Indian presidency.

G20 Summit 2023: Indian PM Modi pushes for UNSC expansion, reforms in global institutions

The gathering of global leaders in New Delhi for the G20 Summit concluded on Sunday with India passing on the Baton to Brazil. This year's G20 saw many notable reforms including a consensus on several issues and inclusion of the African Union. There were also many key economic takeaways as well let's take a look.

G20 Summit 2023: India-Middle East- Europe economic corridor announced

In addition to bringing together international leaders and politicians, the G20 Gala dinner held by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, at the Bharat Mandapam on September 9 was also a sartorial spectacle that displayed a rich tapestry of cultural symbolism and fashion.

G20 Summit 2023: Foreign delegates and leaders dress themselves in Indian attires

The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-message-through-its-downgraded-role-at-g20-summit-in-delhi-633842">Chinese leader Xi Jinping</a> from New Delhi's G20 summit was widely described as a sign of impending floundering of India's stewardship of one of the world's most important geo-economic forums.&nbsp;

But New Delhi began the summit with a bang, quite literally.

Right at the start of the inaugural session of the summit, host India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hammered the gavel and embraced African Union's chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat into the fold of G20, revamping the forum of the world's wealthiest economies with the idea of reformed and inclusive multilateralism that successive governments in New Delhi and their representatives at UN headquarters in New York have long advocated.&nbsp;

African Union's inclusion in G20 was hailed by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as a mark of India's consistent efforts to be a voice of the reason for Global South, adding that the group of developing economies led by New Delhi helped avoid war in Ukraine overshadowing G20 agenda.

Following the inclusion of the 55-member bloc into the G20, the proceeding hours bore witness to a global consensus that was achieved as the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, a landmark conclusion of an exhaustive G20 presidency led by India, particularly amid divergent views on Ukraine conflict.

Furthermore, the first day of the summit also saw the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor — which the US President Joe Biden hailed as 'a real big deal' — &nbsp;a move <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-g20-modi-biden-mbs-launch-inter-continent-economic-corridor-to-outfox-chinas-bri-634176">experts told WION</a> was aimed at giving countries involved more agency in terms of drifts aligning with their own interests in the wake of Chinese efforts to establish an ambitious the Belt and Road Initiative.

In the efforts towards combating Climate Change, the unanimously adopted <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-five-key-takeaways-encompassing-roaring-success-of-new-delhi-g20-summit-634512">New Delhi declaration</a> called for the phasing out and rationalisation of fossil fuel subsidies and commits to reducing "unabated coal power" while boosting clean energy generation.

Besides, the Global Biofuels Alliance was launched with India, Brazil and the United States as its founding members, with sixteen other countries and twelve international organisations agreeing to join the group in New Delhi.

The alliance aims to expedite the global uptake of biofuels by facilitating technology advancements, intensifying the utilisation of sustainable biofuels, and shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders.

By the end of the summit, Modi concluded with a proposal to hold a virtual G20 session to take stock of the progress on matters agreed upon in the Delhi declaration.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping from New Delhi's G20 summit was widely described as a sign of impending floundering of India's stewardship of one of the world's most important geo-economic forums.

The absence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping from New Delhi's G20 summit was widely described as a sign of impending floundering of India's stewardship of one of the world's most important geo-economic forums. But New Delhi began the summit with a bang, quite literally. Right at the start of the inaugural session of the summit, host India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi hammered the gavel and embraced African Union's chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat into the fold of G20, revamping the forum of the world's wealthiest economies with the idea of reformed and inclusive multilateralism that successive governments in New Delhi and their representatives at UN headquarters in New York have long advocated. African Union's inclusion in G20 was hailed by Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov as a mark of India's consistent efforts to be a voice of the reason for Global South, adding that the group of developing economies led by New Delhi helped avoid war in Ukraine overshadowing G20 agenda. Following the inclusion of the 55-member bloc into the G20, the proceeding hours bore witness to a global consensus that was achieved as the New Delhi Leaders' Declaration, a landmark conclusion of an exhaustive G20 presidency led by India, particularly amid divergent views on Ukraine conflict. Furthermore, the first day of the summit also saw the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor — which the US President Joe Biden hailed as 'a real big deal' — a move experts told WION was aimed at giving countries involved more agency in terms of drifts aligning with their own interests in the wake of Chinese efforts to establish an ambitious the Belt and Road Initiative. In the efforts towards combating Climate Change, the unanimously adopted New Delhi declaration called for the phasing out and rationalisation of fossil fuel subsidies and commits to reducing "unabated coal power" while boosting clean energy generation. Besides, the Global Biofuels Alliance was launched with India, Brazil and the United States as its founding members, with sixteen other countries and twelve international organisations agreeing to join the group in New Delhi. The alliance aims to expedite the global uptake of biofuels by facilitating technology advancements, intensifying the utilisation of sustainable biofuels, and shaping robust standard setting and certification through the participation of a wide spectrum of stakeholders. By the end of the summit, Modi concluded with a proposal to hold a virtual G20 session to take stock of the progress on matters agreed upon in the Delhi declaration. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

The Capitals: Delhi delivers as the voice of Global South

Breaking its silence on the G20 summit held in New Delhi, India, China said that the Delhi Declaration, which was adopted by the member nations of the group, sent a “positive signal” that the influential grouping is “working together” to promote world economic recovery and tackle global challenges. 
 
On Saturday, India marked a huge diplomatic win after the G20 summit organised under its presidency adopted a declaration which overcame major differences on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for ending the "global trust deficit". 
 
The Chinese foreign ministry, in its first comment on the two-day summit, spoke highly of its outcome. 
 
“The summit adopted a leaders' declaration, which reflects China's proposition and states that the G20 would act in concrete ways through partnerships, sending a positive signal of the G20 working together to tackle global challenges and promote world economic recovery and global development,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/delhi-g20-modi-biden-mbs-launch-inter-continent-economic-corridor-to-outfox-chinas-bri-634176">G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal'</a>

While commenting on the summit outcome, Mao stated, “In the process of preparing for this New Delhi summit, China played a constructive role and always supported the summit in attaching importance to the concerns of developing countries and reaching fruitful outcomes in support of common development.”

The summit was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was deputising for President Xi Jinping.

<h2>China:&nbsp;Stance on Russia-Ukraine is 'clear and consistent'</h2>

Asked whether China has been supporting the absence of Russia's direct criticism in the G20 statement and if they feel softer language can help end the conflict in Ukraine, Mao stated that the stance of China on the Ukraine issue is clear and consistent. 
 
“The G20 leaders' declaration is the result of consensus reached through consultation and reflects the common understanding of all members. The New Delhi Summit reaffirms that the G20 is the premier forum for international economic co-operation, not a platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues,” the spokesperson said. 
 
“We always believe that the key to the final resolution of the Ukraine crisis lies in discarding the Cold War mentality, attaching importance to and respecting all sides' legitimate security concerns, and seeking a political solution through dialogue and negotiation,” she added.

WATCH |&nbsp;G20 Summit 2023: Leaders endorse global crypto regulations

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-2023-leaders-endorse-global-crypto-regulations-634387/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The spokesperson stated that China has remained committed to promoting peace talks and is willing to work together with the international community to end the Ukraine crisis with a political settlement. 
 
“During his attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Premier Li Qiang elaborated on China's views and propositions on G20 cooperation, calling on all parties to stick to the original aspiration of solidarity and co-operation, live up to the responsibility for peace and development as required by our times, and be partners in promoting the world economic recovery, open co-operation and global sustainable development,” the spokesperson said.

(With inputs from agencies)

You can&nbsp;now write for wionews.com&nbsp;and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

<main>
<section>
WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" data-gtm-yt-inspected-20="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-25="true" data-gtm-yt-inspected-30="true" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="lazy" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=0" title="live tv" width="100%"></iframe>
</section>
</main>

Breaking its silence on the G20 summit held in New Delhi, India, China said that the Delhi Declaration, which was adopted by the member nations of the group, sent a “positive signal” that the influential grouping is “working together” to promote world economic recovery and tackle global challenges.

Breaking its silence on the G20 summit held in New Delhi, India, China said that the Delhi Declaration, which was adopted by the member nations of the group, sent a “positive signal” that the influential grouping is “working together” to promote world economic recovery and tackle global challenges. On Saturday, India marked a huge diplomatic win after the G20 summit organised under its presidency adopted a declaration which overcame major differences on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed for ending the "global trust deficit". The Chinese foreign ministry, in its first comment on the two-day summit, spoke highly of its outcome. “The summit adopted a leaders' declaration, which reflects China's proposition and states that the G20 would act in concrete ways through partnerships, sending a positive signal of the G20 working together to tackle global challenges and promote world economic recovery and global development,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning. ALSO READ | G20 Delhi summit: Why India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor is a 'real big deal' While commenting on the summit outcome, Mao stated, “In the process of preparing for this New Delhi summit, China played a constructive role and always supported the summit in attaching importance to the concerns of developing countries and reaching fruitful outcomes in support of common development.” The summit was attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, who was deputising for President Xi Jinping. China: Stance on Russia-Ukraine is 'clear and consistent' Asked whether China has been supporting the absence of Russia's direct criticism in the G20 statement and if they feel softer language can help end the conflict in Ukraine, Mao stated that the stance of China on the Ukraine issue is clear and consistent. “The G20 leaders' declaration is the result of consensus reached through consultation and reflects the common understanding of all members. The New Delhi Summit reaffirms that the G20 is the premier forum for international economic co-operation, not a platform to resolve geopolitical and security issues,” the spokesperson said. “We always believe that the key to the final resolution of the Ukraine crisis lies in discarding the Cold War mentality, attaching importance to and respecting all sides' legitimate security concerns, and seeking a political solution through dialogue and negotiation,” she added. WATCH | G20 Summit 2023: Leaders endorse global crypto regulations The spokesperson stated that China has remained committed to promoting peace talks and is willing to work together with the international community to end the Ukraine crisis with a political settlement. “During his attendance at the G20 Summit in New Delhi, Premier Li Qiang elaborated on China's views and propositions on G20 cooperation, calling on all parties to stick to the original aspiration of solidarity and co-operation, live up to the responsibility for peace and development as required by our times, and be partners in promoting the world economic recovery, open co-operation and global sustainable development,” the spokesperson said. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

China breaks silence on G20, says Delhi Declaration sent 'positive signal'

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attack by Al-Qaeda,&nbsp;that in 2001 claimed around 3,000 lives in the United States. On the eve of the anniversary, DNA analysis has revealed the identities of&nbsp;two more victims of the tragedy. In other news, as the G20 Summit concludes in the Indian capital New Delhi, the presidency gavel was passed on to Brazil. Speaking to the press,&nbsp;Brazil's President&nbsp;Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for&nbsp;reforms in the UN Security Council.

Click on the headlines to read more:

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-middle-east-europe-economic-corridor-to-change-the-face-of-the-middle-east-israel-pm-634703">India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to change the face of the Middle East: Israel PM</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/06/14/198399-111.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the launch of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as “major news” for Israelis and said it was the “largest cooperation project in our history” that would impact the Middle East, Israel, and the entire globe.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/911-attacks-22nd-anniversary-dna-analysis-helps-identify-two-victims-decades-after-the-tragedy-634699">9/11 attacks 22nd anniversary: DNA analysis helps identify two victims decades after the tragedy</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/11/378891-new-wion-31.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

More than two decades after the tragic September 11 attacks on the United States claimed the lives of close to 3,000 people, DNA analysis has identified the 22-year-old&nbsp;remains of two people who died in the World Trade Center collapse.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/reflective-of-the-world-of-1940s-brazils-president-lula-calls-for-reforms-in-un-security-council-634710">'Reflective of the world of 1940s': Brazil's President Lula calls for reforms in UN Security Council</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/11/378897-untitled-design-2023-09-11t092143598.png?imwidth=1920" />Brazil's President&nbsp;Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva&nbsp;called for reforms in the UN Security Council during a press conference in New Delhi on September 11, adding that the current structure of UN bodies is "reflective of the world of 1940s".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/typhoon-haikui-batters-china-with-seven-days-of-heavy-rainfall-634726">Typhoon Haikui batters China with seven days of heavy rainfall</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/09/11/378905-new-wion-32.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

Southern China has been drenched with heavy rains from typhoon Haikui. For seven consecutive days, the slow-moving weather system has brought relentless downpours to the region, causing flooding in low-lying areas, road blockages, and trapping residents.

Watch |&nbsp;G20 Summit 2023: Indian PM Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/g20-summit-2023-indian-pm-modi-launches-global-biofuels-alliance-634717/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attack by Al-Qaeda, that in 2001 claimed around 3,000 lives in the United States. On the eve of the anniversary, DNA analysis has revealed the identities of two more victims of the tragedy.

Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the tragic 9/11 attack by Al-Qaeda, that in 2001 claimed around 3,000 lives in the United States. On the eve of the anniversary, DNA analysis has revealed the identities of two more victims of the tragedy. In other news, as the G20 Summit concludes in the Indian capital New Delhi, the presidency gavel was passed on to Brazil. Speaking to the press, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has called for reforms in the UN Security Council. Click on the headlines to read more: India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to change the face of the Middle East: Israel PM Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the launch of the ambitious India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) as “major news” for Israelis and said it was the “largest cooperation project in our history” that would impact the Middle East, Israel, and the entire globe. 9/11 attacks 22nd anniversary: DNA analysis helps identify two victims decades after the tragedy More than two decades after the tragic September 11 attacks on the United States claimed the lives of close to 3,000 people, DNA analysis has identified the 22-year-old remains of two people who died in the World Trade Center collapse. 'Reflective of the world of 1940s': Brazil's President Lula calls for reforms in UN Security Council Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva called for reforms in the UN Security Council during a press conference in New Delhi on September 11, adding that the current structure of UN bodies is "reflective of the world of 1940s". Typhoon Haikui batters China with seven days of heavy rainfall Southern China has been drenched with heavy rains from typhoon Haikui. For seven consecutive days, the slow-moving weather system has brought relentless downpours to the region, causing flooding in low-lying areas, road blockages, and trapping residents. Watch | G20 Summit 2023: Indian PM Modi launches Global Biofuels Alliance

Morning brief: 9/11 attacks 22nd anniversary, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and more

India hosted the G20 Summit for the first time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend (Sep 9-10). Following a successful gathering, several Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and others&nbsp;heaped praise on PM Modi.&nbsp;

On Sunday, Akshay Kumar took to his official handle on X, formerly Twitter, to applaud PM Modi for the G20 summit.

"One Earth, One Family, One Future. What a splendid way to mark a historic #G20Summit. Bharat’s leadership has proved that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the reality of the new world order. As proud Indians, we hold our heads high today. Thank you Modi ji…thanks everyone who made us feel on top of the world. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat," he wrote.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
One Earth, One Family, One future. What a splendid way to mark a historic <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20Summit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20Summit</a>. Bharat’s leadership has proved that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the reality of the new world order. 
As proud Indians, we hold our heads high today. Thank you Modi ji…thanks everyone who made us… <a href="https://t.co/76tc2D93OJ">https://t.co/76tc2D93OJ</a>
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) <a href="https://twitter.com/akshaykumar/status/1700884969902809103?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Veteran actor Anupam Kher congratulated the government of India. He wrote in Hindi, "Respected Prime Minister @narendramodi sir! Many congratulations to the Government of India and, especially, to you for the successful organization of #G20BharatSummit. You have made 140 crore Indians proud! With simplicity, determination and humility, you showed everyone how India has the potential to lead the world. The two-day event was conducted with dignity, grace and precision! Thank you for making us feel so proud. Jai Bharat!"

&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
आदरणीय प्रधान मंत्री <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> जी! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/G20BharatSummit?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#G20BharatSummit</a> के सफल आयोजन के लिए भारत सरकार को और ख़ासकर आपको बहुत बहुत बधाई।आपने 140 करोड़ भारतवासियों का सीना गर्व से चौड़ा कर दिया है! आपने सादगी, दृढ़ता और नम्रता से सबको दिखा दिया की कैसे अब भारत विश्व का नेतृत्व करने की क्षमता रखता… <a href="https://t.co/MfBdJqinR3">https://t.co/MfBdJqinR3</a>
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) <a href="https://twitter.com/AnupamPKher/status/1700887619746591112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Congratulating PM Modi, director Karan Johar wrote on his Instagram story, "Many congratulations to the honourable PM @narendramodi ji for a remarkable feat &amp; success of the G2o presidency. A significant milestone in leading by example &amp; fostering the values of unity for a better future. A moment of honour for all Indians under your leadership and the hope for – One Earth, One Family, One Future."

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Congratulations to Hon. PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji for the success of India’s G20 Presidency and for fostering unity between nations for a better future for the people of the world. 
It has brought in a sense of honour and pride into the hearts of every Indian. Sir, under your… <a href="https://t.co/x6q4IkNHBN">https://t.co/x6q4IkNHBN</a>
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) <a href="https://twitter.com/iamsrk/status/1700831503796605348?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Shah Rukh Khan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the G20 Summit's success. Praising India's successful presidency, Khan wrote on X, earlier known as Twitter, that under Modi's leadership, ''we will prosper not in isolation but in oneness.''

Re-sharing a post of PM Modi on the G20 Summit, King Khan wrote, "Congratulations to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for the success of India’s G20 Presidency and for fostering unity between nations for a better future for the people of the world."

Held in the capital city of India, New Delhi, the two-day summit saw the presence of political leaders from across the world, including President of the United States Joe Biden, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and many others.

(With inputs from agencies)

India hosted the G20 Summit for the first time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend (Sep 9-10). Following a successful gathering, several Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and others heaped praise on PM Modi.

India hosted the G20 Summit for the first time under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the weekend (Sep 9-10). Following a successful gathering, several Bollywood stars like Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher and others heaped praise on PM Modi. On Sunday, Akshay Kumar took to his official handle on X, formerly Twitter, to applaud PM Modi for the G20 summit. "One Earth, One Family, One Future. What a splendid way to mark a historic #G20Summit. Bharat’s leadership has proved that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the reality of the new world order. As proud Indians, we hold our heads high today. Thank you Modi ji…thanks everyone who made us feel on top of the world. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat," he wrote. One Earth, One Family, One future. What a splendid way to mark a historic #G20Summit. Bharat’s leadership has proved that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is the reality of the new world order. As proud Indians, we hold our heads high today. Thank you Modi ji…thanks everyone who made us… https://t.co/76tc2D93OJ — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) September 10, 2023 × Veteran actor Anupam Kher congratulated the government of India. He wrote in Hindi, "Respected Prime Minister @narendramodi sir! Many congratulations to the Government of India and, especially, to you for the successful organization of #G20BharatSummit. You have made 140 crore Indians proud! With simplicity, determination and humility, you showed everyone how India has the potential to lead the world. The two-day event was conducted with dignity, grace and precision! Thank you for making us feel so proud. Jai Bharat!" आदरणीय प्रधान मंत्री @narendramodi जी! #G20BharatSummit के सफल आयोजन के लिए भारत सरकार को और ख़ासकर आपको बहुत बहुत बधाई।आपने 140 करोड़ भारतवासियों का सीना गर्व से चौड़ा कर दिया है! आपने सादगी, दृढ़ता और नम्रता से सबको दिखा दिया की कैसे अब भारत विश्व का नेतृत्व करने की क्षमता रखता… https://t.co/MfBdJqinR3 — Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) September 10, 2023 × Congratulating PM Modi, director Karan Johar wrote on his Instagram story, "Many congratulations to the honourable PM @narendramodi ji for a remarkable feat & success of the G2o presidency. A significant milestone in leading by example & fostering the values of unity for a better future. A moment of honour for all Indians under your leadership and the hope for – One Earth, One Family, One Future." Congratulations to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for the success of India’s G20 Presidency and for fostering unity between nations for a better future for the people of the world. It has brought in a sense of honour and pride into the hearts of every Indian. Sir, under your… https://t.co/x6q4IkNHBN — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) September 10, 2023 × Shah Rukh Khan congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the G20 Summit's success. Praising India's successful presidency, Khan wrote on X, earlier known as Twitter, that under Modi's leadership, ''we will prosper not in isolation but in oneness.'' Re-sharing a post of PM Modi on the G20 Summit, King Khan wrote, "Congratulations to Hon. PM @narendramodi ji for the success of India’s G20 Presidency and for fostering unity between nations for a better future for the people of the world." Held in the capital city of India, New Delhi, the two-day summit saw the presence of political leaders from across the world, including President of the United States Joe Biden, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Rishi Sunak, French President Emmanuel Macron, and many others. (With inputs from agencies)

Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar and others heap praise on PM Narendra Modi for G20 summit

G20, News on G20, stories on G20, articles on G20, G20 stories at Wion, G20 news, G20 latest news