Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday welcomed the world leaders at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi ahead of the beginning of first session of the G20 summit.
While delivering the G20 opening speech, PM Modi said that “We live in times when age old problems are seeking answers, need to fulfill our responsibilities with human-centric approach.”
"This is the time for all of us to move together. In this time, the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas' can be the torch bearer for us. Be it the divide between North and South, the distance between East and West, management of food and fuel, terrorism, cyber security, health, energy or water security, we will have to find a solid solution to this for future generations," Modi was quoted by ANI.
He also added that India appeals to entire world to turn deficit to confidence in each other.
The G20 under India's presidency admitted African Union as the permament member. As the summit began, Modi invited the Head of the African Union, Azali Assoumani, to take his seat, as a permanent member of the G20. "With support from all of you, I invite African Union to join G20," he said.
'Bharat' replaces India in nameplate
The nameplate kept in front of the PM read 'Bharat' instead of India as Modi delivered his opening speech. This comes in the wake of the huge controversy that was triggered after the G20 dinner invite from President Draupadi Murmu stated 'President of Bharat' rather than 'President of India'.
Reportedly, United Nations said that it will change India's name to Bharat in UN records when Centre completes all its formalities for the same.
Ahead of the upcoming special session of Parliament, a huge debate was triggered with the opposition lashing out at the Centre's move of renaming the nation.
Modi welcomed world leaders
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva and World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala were among the first to arrive at the summit venue.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also arrived at the newly built venue at Pragati Maidan.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, World Health Organisation (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Premier of the People's Republic of China Li Qiang were among the others who arrived on Saturday morning to attend the two-day G20 summit.
All the leaders were given a traditional welcome at the airport and they were scheduled to gather at the G20 venue.
Welcoming the Brazilian president to India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled that he met him recently in Johannesburg.
“I am happy to be getting the opportunity to meet him again at the G20 Summit. His views on various subjects will be eagerly awaited,” Modi posted on X.
Brazil is set to take over the next presidency of G20 from India.
