Delhi G20 Summit 2023 Live Updates: India's G20 has truly been a people's G20, says Jaishankar

The US has hinted that there is a chance that the G20 summit in India may end up without a joint declaration as Russia and the West continue to spar over the Ukraine war among other issues. There are question marks over G20 agreeing to a joint declaration as Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov has already said that his country will block any summit proposal that doesn’t reflect Moscow’s views on Ukraine and other crises. Moreover, both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping have decided to skip the G20 summit in India.

IAF takes operational pause in Ex Trishul, fighter jets to be on high alert for G20 summit security

The Indian Air Force has taken an operational pause in the ongoing Exercise Trishul going on in the northern sector as fighter aircraft will not be flying from September 7-10. IAF officials made it clear that only the flying operations of the aircraft involved in Ex Trishul would be paused and other routine flying may continue. In this period, the Indian Air Force would start operating its PHALCON AWACS aircraft to keep an eye on the air space across the country to protect the air space over the national capital region in view of the G-20 summit, defence sources said. The Indian Air Force is also deploying its Rafale and other fighter jets at the advanced air bases to protect Delhi skies for the summit.

India's G20 Presidency led to many initiatives and achievements: Sources

As New Delhi is gearing up to host the annual summit on September 9-10, India's G20 Presidency has resulted in many initiatives and achievements, sources said. India took the lead in the annual G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting by being the first to deliver a fully negotiated and embraced G20 Foreign Ministers Outcome Document and Chair Summary (FMM ODCS), sources said.

French president Emmanuel Macron to hold bilateral meeting with PM Narendra Modi

French President Emmanuel Macron will arrive in New Delhi on Saturday for a two-day visit to attend the G20 Summit under India's Presidency scheduled to be held from September 9-10. Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a bilateral meeting likely in the form of a lunch at the end of the G20 Summit on September 10. Previously, the two leaders met in July during PM Modi's visit to France to attend Bastille Day Parade. During his two-day visit to India, Emmanuel Macron will have bilateral meetings with other world leaders, particularly with Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, according to the Embassy of France in India.

Online food, grocery delivery platforms buckle up for heavy rush amid G20 Summit

Online food and grocery delivery platforms on Thursday said that are prepared for minimal to no disruption in their services amid the expected heavy demand as a majority of their product categories remain exempted during the G20 Summit weekend which is being organised under a heavy security blanket in Delhi-NCR. (IANS)

Three-hour instrumental music performance at dinner hosted by President for G20 leaders

Leaders of the G20 summit will be treated with first-of-its-kind instrumental music performances showcasing the cultural depth of Bharat on the occasion hosted by the President of India on September 9. Bharat-Vadya-Darshanam (musical journey of India), a fusion of different musical styles prevailing within Bharat, will be organised by the Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Ministry of Culture. 78 instrumentalists from all over the country will perform together for three hours before foreign dignitaries during the dinner programme hosted by the President in honour of G20 leaders at ‘Bharat Mandapan’.

Delhi Police patrols Raj Ghat area with tractor ahead of G20 Summit

In view of the upcoming G20 Summit that is scheduled to be held in the national capital on September 9 and 10, Delhi Police is patrolling the Raj Ghat area with the help of a tractor. The Police officials can be seen standing on the tractor and inspecting the area that is surrounded by the Yamuna River near the Raj Ghat.

Chandni Chowk traders engage women translators for foreign visitors during G20 Summit

As Delhi is all set to host the G20 Summit over this weekend, traders in Chandni Chowk have engaged nearly 100 women entrepreneurs who will double up as translators fluent in English, French, Spanish and other languages to provide foreign visitors a seamless experience. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has partnered with these women entrepreneurs, fashion designers, influencers, bloggers, salon and boutique owners who are fluent in languages such as English, French, Spanish and German to work as translators, its chairman Brijesh Goyal said.

ICYMI: The summit will be hosted at the state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.

Security checks underway in Delhi for upcoming G20 Summit

Preparations and security checks are underway in Delhi for the upcoming G20 Summit that is scheduled to be held here on September 9-10. Security checks were carried out at Raj Ghat on Thursday morning. Security personnel along with sniffer dogs conducted security checks near the Mahatma Gandhi memorial.

India's G20 has truly been a people's G20: Jaishankar

India has celebrated G20 across the country and has sought to create a pan-national experience that will benefit both the country and the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said and noted that the initiatives have made “India world-ready and the world more India-ready”. In an editorial in Times of India on Thursday, the minister said India's G20 has truly been a people's G20 and saw extensive participation of people or ‘Jan Bhagidari’.

G20 agrees to give African Union membership on par With EU

Group of 20 nations agreed to grant the African Union permanent membership status, according to people familiar with the matter, who said that leaders are expected to announce the decision during a summit in India this weekend. The move would give the 55-member African Union, which is currently classified as an “invited international organization,” the same status as the EU, according to the people, who asked not to be identified. It’s part of a drive to provide African countries with a stronger voice on global issues such as climate change and emerging-market debt, particularly as emerging markets in the so-called Global South take on a more prominent role in world affairs.

India's G20 presidency strives to bridge divides, sow seeds of collaboration: PM Modi

Asserting that India's G20 presidency became a people-driven movement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said its leadership of the bloc has striven to bridge divides, dismantle barriers and sow seeds of collaboration that nourish a world where unity prevails over discord and shared destiny eclipses isolation. "As the G20 president, we had pledged to make the global table larger, ensuring that every voice is heard and every country contributes. I am positive that we have matched our pledge with actions and outcomes," Modi said in an article which appeared in several newspapers on Thursday.

Traffic came to a standstill in many areas of central Delhi on Wednesday due to restrictions and security arrangements for Chehlum and the G20 summit. Traffic disruptions are likely to prevail on Thursday as well. Congestion was reported on stretches like Salimgarh Bypass, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Bhairon Marg, Bhairon Road-Ring Road, Mathura Road, C-Hexagon, Sardar Patel Marg and Gurgaon Road till late afternoon due to the rehearsal of G20 motorcades and special traffic arrangements.

Delhi-NCR's plushest hotels are ready to greet and pamper some very special guests - heads of states, heads of governments and chiefs of big multilateral institutions arriving for the G20 summit. ITC Maurya, the usual pick for POTUSes when they visit India, will host Joe Biden. Will he eat at the Bukhara? Some of his predecessors, most famously Bill Clinton, had loved the Dal Bukhara and the restaurant's tandoor dishes like sikandari raan and murgh malai tikka.

As the national capital is all set to host its biggest global show this week, various security arrangements have been put in place. Ahead of the mega event, authorities have also imposed various restrictions.

Delhi metro train services will start from 4am from terminal stations of all lines for three days, from September 8 to 10, for the upcoming G20 summit.

PM Modi, Biden expected to discuss on G20 agenda, multilateral development bank reform: White House

US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are expected to hold a discussion on the agenda of G20, particularly the economic cooperation and multilateral investment opportunities, that stand before it and can be on the American leader's strong desire to see multilateral development bank reform and reshaping, a White House official said.

Hectic schedule for PM in next 3 days leading up to G20 meet

Ahead of hosting heads of over 40 countries during the G20 Summit in the national capital for three days, PM Narendra Modi has a busy schedule in the preceding three days, as he had on Wednesday with back-to-back engagements before departing for Jakarta in the evening to take part in the Asean-India Summit and East Asia Summit.

Elaborate vegetarian spread awaits G20 delegates

World leaders attending the G20 Summit over the weekend will be treated to an elaborate vegetarian spread representing India's rich culinary traditions, a senior official said. The Mughlai cuisine of north India, the south Indian cooking traditions, and chaat dishes from across the country will be served to the delegates over three days beginning Friday, he said.

Biden continues to remain Covid negative, no change in travel plans to India: White House

IMD installs additional automatic weather station near G20 Summit venue to provide specialised, real-time weather forecasts during event, reports PTI.

In view of the ensuing G20 Summit in New Delhi from 8-10 Sept 2023, IMD is monitoring the weather round the clock. It will issue current weather and forecast information for different locations of Delhi since 7 Sept, 2023 morning: IMD

Anti sabotage check mock drill was conducted ahead of the G20 Summit by the Indian Army, reports ANI.

"The sanitation drive, which is being carried out for G20, will continue even after G20 is over,” said Delhi Deputy Mayor Aaley Muhammad Iqbal after inspecting preparations for G20 Summit earlier today.

'Unprecedented scolding' by party elders could be reason behind Xi Jinping's no-show at G20 summit in India: Report

'G20 nations agree on framework for regulation of crypto assets': Sources, reports ANI.

"PM Modi also instructed the ministers not to speak on India and India dispute. He also gave permission to speak on Sanatan Dharma controversy with conditions," ANI quoted sources.

"In the Council of ministers meeting, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave advice to his ministers, saying that no minister other than the authorized person should speak at the G-20 meeting," ANI quoted sources as saying.

PM Modi asked all the ministers to reach the venue on time to ensure that the foreign officials do not face any inconvenience.

The prime minister asked the ministers to download the G20 India mobile app and make the best use of its translation, and navigation facilities among other features while communicating with the foreign dignitaries during the summit.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday listed out a number of instructions for ministers ahead of the G20 Summit to be held later this week.

"Today, our (Denmark's) PM sent a letter to PM Modi, condensing our support to the Indian presidency but also highlighting climate change and related issues," says Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane on G20 summit 2023.

Delhi airport to have dedicated corridor for delegates; team to monitor flight arrivals, departures, reports PTI.

Delhi Police conducts tear gas exercise ahead of G20 summit, reports ANI.

Special immigration counters set up at Delhi airport for G20 guests, reports ANI.

Security tightened in Delhi ahead of the G20 Summit; drone being used by police for surveillance, reports ANI.

China pushing back on debt resolution for vulnerable countries: Government source on G20 summit

I feel proud that Denmark was invited to advise the Indian presidency for G20 on two things: energy transition and climate issue: Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane

Talking about the G20 summit 2023, he further added, "Denmark and India have a great strategic partnership. We hope that the Indian G20 presidency will be able to move the agenda in a right direction."

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation on Wednesday announced that from September 8-10, train services will begin at 4 am.

“For the upcoming G-20 Summit to be held in Delhi on 9th and 10th September 2023, the Delhi Metro train services will start from 04:00 AM from terminal stations of all Lines for three days that is from 8th to 10th September 2023,” DMRC said in a statement, reported ANI.

Delegates of the G20 Summit to be served in silverware and gold utensils, reports ANI.

It's the Prime Minister's vision. His vision says that when we, as a mother of democracy, hosting such a large event, which has never been held in our country before, we need to take it beyond the confines of Delhi: G20 Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla on holding G20 meetings across the country

"So by the time we finish our presidency, which is the 30th of November this year, we would have held over 220 meetings in every State and Union territory of our country. It makes local sections of our citizenship partners and stakeholders in the G20 process, they feel that this has come to our part of the country. So we are also a part of the G 20. It popularizes our message in the G20...I think it's a real game-changer...", he added.

We have made all the arrangements necessary for hosting such a mega event well on time: G20 Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla

"All government departments and agencies have been part of that endeavour. And in hosting the G20, of course, we work closely with the state governments, we've worked with municipalities, we work with partners and stakeholders across the country," he added.

What makes UK-India ties truly unique is living bridge between our countries that includes 1.6 mn-strong Indian diaspora in UK: PM Sunak

A modern, forward-looking FTA can put us firmly on path to our shared ambition of doubling UK-India trade by 2030: UK PM Sunak

On the proposed FTA, he also said, " Trade deal can help Indian exporters gain access to UK market, including India's 48 million small, medium enterprises; want trade deal that cuts tariffs and red tape, helps Indian consumers, businesses to get easier access to UK goods." "There's still some way to go, but I'm confident we'll be able to agree a deal that works for both UK and India", he added.

I am hugely proud of my Indian roots and my connections to India: UK PM Rishi Sunak told PTI

He further added, " My wife is Indian and being a proud Hindu, I will always have a connection to India and people of India."

We will work closely with India through its G20 Presidency to address biggest challenges facing world: UK PM Rishi Sunak

India's scale, diversity and extraordinary successes mean it's the right country at the right time to hold the G20 Presidency: Rishi Sunak

He further told PTI, "UK certainly is here to support India's efforts in achieving a successful G20 summit."

With nearly 40 world leaders, including those from international organisations, set to attend the summit on September 9-10, Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra briefed the ministers in detail about the protocol and related matters.