Source : The Times of India
New Delhi: The first G20 Sherpa meeting under India’s presidency started in Rajasthan’s Udaipur on Sunday. The four-day gathering from December 4-7 will set the stage for important conversations on some of the most pressing global issues.
Amitabh Kant, the G20 Sherpa of India, welcomed G20 guests to Udaipur. He stressed that Rajasthan is known for warm hospitality and historical splendour and it is a “symbolic” beginning for G20 to demonstrate tradition of ‘Atithi Devo Bhava.’
The Royal state of Rajasthan is world renowned for its warm hospitality & historical splendour. It’s a symbolic beginning for #G20India to start showcasing our Indian tradition of #AtithiDevoBhava from Udaipur in Rajasthan.
We welcome the @g20org family into our home 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gRhAHoWbh1— Amitabh Kant (@amitabhk87) December 4, 2022
“The Royal state of Rajasthan is world renowned for its warm hospitalityand historical splendour. It is a symbolic beginning for G20 India to start showcasing our Indian tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava from Udaipur in Rajasthan. We welcome the G20 family into our home,” tweeted Kant.
The meeting in the City of Lakes is the first of around 200 gatherings that will take place across 55 Indian cities over the next one year.
The Sherpa meetings will work to establish consensus on key issues, which will be discussed in the various G20 workstreams, for inclusion in the Leaders’ Declaration, which will be tabled at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023.
Centre calls for all-party meeting
Centre calls for all-party meeting
Meanwhile, the Centre will convene an all-party meeting on Monday to solicit suggestions, discuss and finalise strategies for the G-20 leaders’ summit.
Presidents of nearly 40 parties have been invited to the meeting by parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be present. External affairs minister S Jaishankar is also likely to attend the meeting at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Holistic solutions
The meeting in Udaipur will give India an opportunity to outline its broad priorities and give an overview on its G20 Presidency.
A grand reception will be held at the Hotel Leela Palace for the delegates on Sunday. The next day, discussions will start at the darbar hall of hotel Taj Fateh Prakash Palace.
Around 40 delegates will first hold a panel discussion on Sustainable Development Goals and then move on to other topics such as technological transformation; green development and LiFE; accelerated, inclusive and resilient growth; multilateralism and food; fuel and fertilisers; women-led development, tourism and culture.
In keeping with India’s G20 Presidency motto “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and the theme “One Earth. One Family. One Future”, the discussions will focus on finding holistic and harmonious solutions to prevailing challenges.
During the meeting, a ‘Chai pe Charcha’ will also be held to hold deeper conversations and boost ties among the G20 member countries and their Sherpas.
During the meeting, a ‘Chai pe Charcha’ will also be held to hold deeper conversations and boost ties among the G20 member countries and their Sherpas.
Unique Indian experience
The Udaipur meeting has ben organised to offer the delegates a unique ‘Indian experience’ through cultural performances, art exhibitions, and excursions to various destinations, including 15th-century Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Temple Complex.
The delegates will also get a taste of delectable Rajasthani cuisine such as Dal bati churma, Jodhpuri kabuli pulao, Bikaneri ghevar, Jodhpuri mawa kachauri, gatta curry, ker sangri will be served. “Apart from Rajasthani food, the delegates will be served south-Indian dishes, Hyderabadi, Gujarati and Punjabi delicacies during the four days,” said Udaipur tourism deputy director Shikha Saxena.
The delegates will also take in performances showcasing the culture of Rajasthan. On the first day of the meeting, world-famous Langa Manganiyar folk artist Ghazi Khan will give a colourful performance at Sheeshmahal of Hotel Leela.
On December 5, various folk artists of the state will enthrall the foreign guests with the cultural programme ‘Colors of Rajasthan’ at Jagmandir Palace. The next day, a presentation on various art styles of India will be held at Manak Chowk, the city palace of Udaipur. On the final day, there will be a cultural presentation in Ranakpur.
On December 5, various folk artists of the state will enthrall the foreign guests with the cultural programme ‘Colors of Rajasthan’ at Jagmandir Palace. The next day, a presentation on various art styles of India will be held at Manak Chowk, the city palace of Udaipur. On the final day, there will be a cultural presentation in Ranakpur.
Powerful bloc
India formally assumed G20 Presidency from Indonesia on December 1.
The G20 or Group of 20 is an intergovernmental forum of the world’s major developed and developing economies.
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| Image Source: The Times of India |
It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US, and the European Union.
Together, the G20 members represent more than 80% of the world’s GDP, 75% of international trade and 60% of the world’s population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said India’s G20 presidency will be inclusive, ambitious, decisive, and action-oriented, noting that the country is taking the charge at a time when the world is grappling with geopolitical tensions, economic slowdown and rising food and energy prices.
(With inputs from agencies)
