G20: Foreign Minister’s Meeting to be Held in New Delhi Today

New Delhi: The formal meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers under India’s presidency will begin at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre in New Delhi today. External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar will chair two sessions of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

The first session will focus on Strengthening Multilateralism and the Need for Reforms and issues related to food and energy security while the second session will focus on new and emerging threats including counter-terrorism and narcotics, global skill mapping, and focus on global talent pools.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also deliver his address at the meeting through video conferencing. Yesterday, a gala dinner was hosted for the visiting dignitaries. They were welcomed with a performance that highlighted the richness of Indian culture. The performance centred on the upcoming festival of Holi.

Briefing media about the meeting in New Delhi, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra informed that 40 delegations are expected to participate in the meeting. He added that thirty international organisations will also participate in the meeting.

On Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi not attending the meeting, the Foreign Secretary said, India and Japan have enjoyed sterling cooperation when it comes to discussions and deliberations within the G20, adding that India greatly values Japan’s participation. He said that while the Japanese Foreign Minister will not able to come because of his domestic compulsions, India is looking forward to very active participation and support in consultation with the Japanese delegation that is coming.

On whether Dr Jaishankar will meet his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang, the Foreign Secretary said that the External Affairs Minister has already started meeting many of his counterparts, and will try to meet as many counterparts as possible.

In reply to a query, the Foreign Secretary said that given the developing situation of Russia-Ukraine, it will naturally be an important point of discussion during the Foreign Ministers’ meeting. He added that issues of the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict on the world, including economic impact and impact on development will also be focused upon in the meeting.