G20 Summit 2023: If world can defeat Covid, it can also win ‘trust deficit’ caused by war, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, inaugurating the G20 Summit today, said India has made the global G20 Summit a 'People's G20' event as crores of people have been associated with the country's Presidency, with over 200 meetings that have taken place in over 60 cities. The G20 Summit will be held in the national capital on the 9th and 10th of September 2023.

The Prime Minister says India's G20 Presidency has become a symbol of "inclusion", or "sabka saath" -- both inside and outside the country. "With the sense of 'Sabka Saath', India had proposed that the African Union be granted permanent membership of G20. I believe that all of us agree to this proposal," he says.

The PM then invited the President of the African Union & Comoros, Azali Assoumani, to join other G20 leaders as the African Union becomes a permanent member of the G20.

The PM says the 21st century is a crucial time to show the world a new direction. "This is the time when old problems are seeking new solutions from us and that is why we should move ahead fulfilling our responsibilities."

Citing India's contribution to COVID-19 and global efforts to end the pandemic, the Prime Minister says "if we can defeat Covid-19, we can also triumph over the trust deficit caused by the war".

As the President of G20, India calls upon the world together to transform the "global trust deficit" into one of "trust and confidence", says the PM, adding that this is the time for all to move together. "In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torch bearer for us," he adds.

The PM says the world needs to find solutions to all the problems to secure the future of upcoming generations. "We have to move ahead with a human-centric approach."

Earlier, the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi extended warm welcome to the leaders arriving for the G20 Summit. This is the first ever G20 Summit being hosted by India.

The Prime Minister also expresses confidence that the New Delhi G20 Summit will chart a new path in the human-centric and inclusive development. He emphasises India’s G20 Presidency has been inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented where the developmental concerns of the Global South have been actively voiced.

Notably, President Droupadi Murmu will host a dinner for the leaders of G20 on 9th September 2023. The leaders will pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat on the 10th of September 2023. At the closing ceremony, on the same day, G20 leaders will share their collective vision for a sustainable and equitable ‘One Future’, together like ‘One Family’, for a healthier ‘One Earth’.