As India prepares to host the G20 Summit this year, the country stands at the nexus of diplomacy, economic policy and global leadership. The G20, comprising the world’s 20 largest economies, serves as a crucial platform where leaders can address pressing challenges – from economic disparity to climate change.
The Summit’s theme, which appears to revolve around the ideas of ‘One Earth,’ ‘One Family,’ and ‘One Future,’ underscores the essence of unity and collective action.
It presents an opportunity for India not only to showcase its organizational prowess but also to set the agenda for inclusive growth and sustainable development.
Set to take place in New Delhi, the venue for the event has been named ‘Bharat Mandapam’ in Pragati Maidan.
On November 7, President Biden of the United States will make his arrival, marking the beginning of the summit.
The following day, all the participating leaders will arrive.
A bilateral meeting between President Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected on September 8, although the agenda for this meeting still remains undisclosed. Such early arrivals offer a valuable opportunity for host nations to conduct more personal, nuanced conversations before the full agenda unfolds.
The remaining leaders will arrive on August 8, setting the stage for the series of intensive discussions and negotiations that lie ahead. The main event commences on the 9th, beginning with a ceremonial reception of all the leaders individually at Bharat Mandapam. There are three sessions that revolve around India’s theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, which translates into “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
The first session, named ‘One Earth’, will start at 9 am, extending over a working lunch. Formal as well an informal bilateral meetings among leaders will take place subsequently. The day’s proceedings will continue into the second session – ‘One Family’.
The day concludes with a grand gala dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at the Bharat Mandapam’s multipurpose hall. The gathering will host 350-400 esteemed guests, according to sources. It will not be merely a social gathering; it will be a space for informal diplomacy, where leaders can engage outside of the conference room’s rigidity.
The next day of the summit begins early with a visit to Rajghat, followed by a tree plantation drive at the summit venue in Bharat Mandapam. The visit to Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, reflects the Summit’s broader humanitarian ethos. The tree plantation activity at Bharat Mandapam resonates with the event’s focus on sustainability.
The summit will close with a session titled ‘One Future,’ culminating in the symbolic handover of the G20 presidency to Brazil, which will assume chair starting on December 1.
