PM Modi Greets Joe Biden And Other World Leaders At G20 Summit | LIVE

The G20 summit of the year 2024 has begun in Brazil. Last year's summit was held in India. Brazil's President, Lula de Silva, began the summit by launching a global alliance to combat hunger and poverty. He claimed that hunger and poverty are results of political decisions. 

PM Modi, who is on a three nation tour, landed in Brazil today, for the summit. As he landed in Rio de Janerio, he was welcomed with Sanskrit chants. 

“Landed in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to take part in the G20 Summit. I look forward to the Summit deliberations and fruitful talks with various world leaders,” he wrote on X, after landing. “Deeply touched by the warm and lively welcome from the Indian community upon arriving in Rio de Janeiro. Their energy reflects the affection that binds us across continents,” he added. 

The Prime Minister also stated that he is “Looking forward to the proceedings at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Thankful to President Lula for the warm welcome.”

PM Modi has already met with US President Joe Biden, Brazil's President Lula da Silva, Singapore's PM Lawrence Wong, and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. As the summit began, PM Modi and Joe Biden shook each other's hand. After meeting US President Joe Biden, the PM tweeted that it is “always a delight to meet him (Joe Biden)”. 

Here is what you need to know

The 2024 G20 Summit, underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from November 18th to November 19th, marks Brazil's leadership of the G20 under the theme "Building a Fair World and a Sustainable Planet". 

What are the key focus areas?

• Energy Transition: Promoting renewable energy and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Sustainable Development: Addressing hunger, poverty, inequality, and fostering economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
• Global Governance Reforms: Advocating changes in international institutions to reflect global equity.

New Initiatives

• Brazil has introduced two major initiatives: the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Mobilization against Climate Change.
• Discussions will also center on financing for climate change, tax fairness, debt renegotiation, and reforming financial institutions.

A look at the participants

The G20 includes 19 member nations, the EU, and for the first time, the African Union. Guest nations like Spain, Angola, Egypt, and Norway are also attending. 

Update: PM Modi, in his address on day one of the G20 Session on "Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty” said that "At the outset, I would like to congratulate President Lula for the grand arrangements made for the organisation of the G20 summit and for his successful G20 Presidency. The people-centric decisions taken at the G20 Summit in New Delhi have been taken forward during Brazil’s Presidency. It is a matter of great satisfaction that we prioritised SDG goals...It is clear that One Earth One Family One Future, is as relevant at this summit as it was last year."

He stated that "over the last 10 years, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost. 550 million people are benefiting from the world’s biggest health insurance scheme. Now, 60 million senior citizens, over the age of 70, will also be able to benefit from free health insurance...India is also contributing to global food security. We have provided humanitarian assistance to Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, recently."

"We support Brazil’s initiative for a "Global Alliance against hunger and poverty”. This is an important step towards the implementation of the Deccan High level principles for Food security, adopted at the New Delhi Summit," he added.

Update: PM Modi, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, met with Spain's President, Pedro Sanchez. He was on a visit to India, few weeks ago, when PM Modi hosted him at Vadodara, Gujarat . After meeting him, PM Modi tweeted “From Vadodara to Rio, the interactions continue!   A lovely interaction with the President of the Government of Spain, Mr. Pedro Sánchez.”