Leaders of nations, along with government officials and delegates from diverse member countries, alongside G20 invitees, are slated to convene in Delhi for the Summit.
Scheduled to take place on September 9, 2023, the G20 Summit will convene at Delhi’s Pragati Maidan, specifically the Bharat Mandapam. World leaders and delegates from member states, as well as G20 invitees, will head to the Indian capital for the two-day event. Among the high-profile dignitaries slated to attend are Joe Biden, the President of the United States, Rishi Sunak, the UK’s Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau of Canada, Fumio Kishida, Japan’s Prime Minister, and finally Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
When will the G20 Summit take place?
Scheduled for September 9-10, 2023, the 18th G20 Heads of State and Government Summit will convene at Bharat Mandapam, nestled within New Delhi’s Pragati Maidan. The summit’s second day will culminate in the adoption of a G20 Leaders’ Declaration, encapsulating the year-long discussions and commitments arising from ministerial and working group meetings.
Spanning 53,399 sqm, Bharat Mandapam stands as India’s largest conference and exhibition locale. Its versatile halls accommodate up to 7,000 attendees combined—surpassing the iconic Sydney Opera House, famed for holding around 5,900. Guided by the theme ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ echoing India’s G20 presidency, the venue’s essence was presented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 26.
What does the term “G20” signify, and how is the responsibility of the presidency determined within this context?
The G20, often known as the Group of Twenty, comprises 19 nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States. The European Union is also an aspect of this Summit. Originating in 1999 as a response to the late 1990s financial crisis that significantly impacted East and Southeast Asia, its core aim is to bolster global financial stability by involving middle-income economies.
Functioning as a platform for international economic collaboration, the G20 holds substantial sway in shaping and reinforcing global frameworks and governance concerning pivotal international economic matters.
An interesting facet of the G20 is its rotational presidency. Each year, a member nation assumes the role of overseeing the G20’s agenda, orchestrating its proceedings, and hosting its summits. From December 1, 2022, until November 30, 2023, India is the current president. The G20 presidency is set to be taken over by Brazil in 2024, following India, and then South Africa in 2025
Who is set to participate in the Summit?
The upcoming Summit will be graced by the presence of Heads of State and Government, alongside delegates from diverse member nations and G20 invitees. Among the notable attendees anticipated in Delhi are US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, and Saudi Arabian King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
A majority of delegates will find accommodation in renowned hotels located within the Lutyens’ Delhi vicinity. Notable establishments include The Taj Palace, Ashoka Hotel, The Leela Palace, ITC Maurya, Hotel Shangri-La, Hotel Lalit, Hotel Meridian, and Imperial Hotel, among others.
What to expect from the G20 Summit?
Amid the G20 Summit on September 9 and 10, the spotlight turns to India’s relationship with neighboring China. During the recent discussions at the BRICS Summit, Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi centered their attention on accelerating the process of troop disengagement along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Nevertheless, differing interpretations of the meeting’s outcomes emerged later.
India’s engagement with Western nations faced strains during the Russian-Ukraine conflict of February 2022. New Delhi’s diplomatic maneuvering was perceived by partners in Washington and Europe as pragmatic, prioritizing its interests over “shared values.” During Modi’s June visit to the US, commitments were forged to enhance technology collaboration, co-development, and co-production between American and Indian entities.
What are the security arrangements in place for the G20 Summit in Delhi?
A substantial team of 60 Deputy Commissioners drawn from various corners of the city, including specialized units, has been assigned specific responsibilities for seamless oversight and management.
Enhancing security efforts, 69 explosive detection dogs belonging to the police K9 squad, along with two handlers for each, will be strategically stationed across pivotal locations within the New Delhi district. This deployment is aimed at swiftly detecting any potentially suspicious objects. Within this squad, 34 explosive detection dogs were procured as young pups from a kennel in Hyderabad, specifically for the Summit’s security endeavors.
How will traffic be affected in Delhi?
To ensure a smooth traffic flow, the Delhi Police has taken a series of steps, which include implementing restrictions and diverting routes. Additionally, they have deployed around 10,000 personnel on the ground to manage the situation effectively.
During a recent press conference, SS Yadav, the Special Commissioner of Police for Traffic in Zone 2, shared that vehicles not meant for the city will be guided towards the Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways, as well as alternative pathways. Yadav also emphasized that the entry of Heavy, Medium, and Light Goods Vehicles into the city will be restricted. However, goods vehicles carrying essential goods and holding valid ‘No Entry Permission’ will be permitted entry. Yadav further revealed that interstate buses will be granted entry, and their routes will culminate along the Ring Road. To ensure swift assistance, a dedicated Ambulance Assistance Control Room has been set up for the duration of the Summit.
What other steps have been taken?
Correspondingly, private offices operating on weekends have also been instructed to stay closed. Moreover, within the scope of the New Delhi Police District, commercial and financial entities such as banks and retail stores will observe a period of non-operation. This encompasses prominent markets such as Connaught Place and Khan Market, known for their heightened weekend foot traffic.
What are the beautification efforts undertaken in the city?
A spokesperson from NDMC mentioned earlier to The Indian Express that particular attention was directed towards zones surrounding the hotels where foreign delegates are set to lodge. The local artists engaged by these bodies infused vibrant hues into city walls, lending a creative and visual transformation.
Significant flyovers including Safdarjung, Bhikaji Cama Place, Nauroji Nagar, and South Extension, as well as underpasses, pedestrian overpasses, and inner roadways connected to IGI airport, have undergone aesthetic improvements as well. Themed paintings and street art that depict India’s cultural richness, classical dance forms, yoga postures, and tourist attractions now grace these locales.
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