Indonesia on Wednesday handed over the G20 presidency to India for the coming year at the Bali summit here with Prime Minister Narendra Modi terming it a matter of pride for every Indian citizen.
At a brief ceremony, Indonesian President Joko Widodo handed over the G20 presidency to Prime Minister Modi at the conclusion of the two-day G20 Summit here.
“Together with every countries’ efforts, we can make the G20 summit a catalyst for global welfare,” Modi said.
The handing over ceremony came as the member states finalised the joint declaration.
Earlier, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that India has contributed ‘constructively’ to drafting of G20 ‘outcome document’.
Delegations from the member states had differences on how to characterise the Russia-Ukraine war, with Ukraine’s western allies said to be seeking outright condemnation of Moscow.
There were fears earlier that the member states may not agree to a final document. G20 declarations require consensus of all members.
Foreign Secretary Kwatra said the Indian delegation guided by the prime minister played a “key role” in the successful resolution of differences over the “outcome document.”
He said the “particular global context” was reflected in the consensus documents.
He said Modi’s observation that this is not an era of war and his advocacy of diplomacy and dialogue helped in reaching a “successful” outcome.
His message helped in consensus building, Kwatra said.
India takes charge of G20!
Indonesian President @jokowi symbolically handed over the G20 Presidency to PM @narendramodi.#G20India will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented.
Together, we will make @g20org a catalyst for global change. pic.twitter.com/9l2MZNocH1
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) November 16, 2022
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said India’s G-20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented, noting that the country is taking the charge at a time when the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown and rising food and energy prices.
India was handed over the presidency of the influential bloc at the end of the two-day G-20 summit here which was hosted by Indonesia.
In his remarks at the closing ceremony of the summit, Modi said India will strive to ensure that the G-20 acts as a global “prime mover” to envision new ideas and accelerate collective action over the next one year.
“India is taking charge of the G-20 at a time when the world is simultaneously grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown, rising food and energy prices, and the long-term ill-effects of the pandemic,” Modi said.
“At such a time, the world is looking at the G-20 with hope. Today, I want to assure that India’s G-20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented,” he said.
India will officially assume the G20 Presidency on 1 December.
The next G20 Leaders’ Summit at the level of Heads of State/Government is scheduled to be held on 9 and 10 September 2023 in New Delhi.
The prime minister said India’s presidency of the G-20 is a proud occasion for every Indian and that the country will organize G-20 meetings in different cities and states.
“Our guests will get full experience of India’s amazing diversity, inclusive traditions, and cultural richness. We wish that all of you will participate in this unique celebration in India, the ‘Mother of Democracy’. Together, we will make the G-20, a catalyst for global change,” he said.
