G20 Summit 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday addressed a G20 session in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro on “Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty,” emphasising India’s transformative achievements over the past decade. During the summit, he also interacted briefly with US President Joe Biden, marking their first exchange since the American presidential election.
Congratulating Brazil President Lula da Silva of Brazil, PM Modi lauded the arrangements made for the G20 summit and the continuation of people-centric decisions taken during India’s G20 Presidency in New Delhi. “It is a matter of great satisfaction that we prioritised SDG goals. We focused on inclusive development, women-led development, and youth power, and gave wings to the hopes and aspirations of the Global South,” he remarked.
PM Modi reiterated the enduring significance of India’s G20 theme, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” asserting that it remains as relevant today as it was last year. Highlighting India’s success stories, he shared, “Over the last 10 years, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty. Over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost. 550 million people are benefiting from the world’s biggest health insurance scheme.”
He also noted efforts towards social inclusion and women’s empowerment, mentioning that over 300 million women micro-entrepreneurs have been linked to banks with credit access. Additionally, he cited the world’s largest crop insurance scheme, which has benefitted 40 million farmers, and outlined India’s emphasis on nutrition, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, and adolescent girls through initiatives like the Saksham Anganwadi and Nutrition 2.0 campaign.
Emphasising agricultural advancements, PM Modi explained, “We have developed over 2,000 climate-resilient crop varieties and started the Digital Agriculture Mission.” He also supported Brazil’s initiative for a “Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty” and underscored the importance of considering the challenges faced by the Global South.
Referring to global crises, he pointed out the adverse impact on food, fuel, and fertiliser supply chains, advocating for reforms in global governance institutions. “Our discussions can only be successful when we keep in mind the challenges and priorities of the Global South,” he stated.
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi shared a brief interaction with President Biden. “With @POTUS Joe Biden at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Always a delight to meet him,” Modi posted on ‘X’, along with a photograph showing the two leaders holding hands and engaged in conversation.
With @POTUS Joe Biden at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro. Always a delight to meet him.@JoeBiden pic.twitter.com/Z1zGYIVEhm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2024
Details of their exchange remain undisclosed, and it is unclear whether a bilateral meeting will take place before Biden’s term as US President concludes next month.
