New Delhi: In the run up to India assuming the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2022, a briefing for the Resident Heads of Missions of the G20 member countries, invited guest countries and International Organizations was organized at Swaraj Dweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands on 26 November 2022. Over 40 Missions and International Organizations participated in the program. They were given detailed briefings by G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant and Chief G20 Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the substantive, operational and logistical aspects of various G20 interactions during India's Presidency.
The Heads/Representatives of Missions were apprised of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of India's G20 Presidency, as reflected in the theme "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam", or "One Earth One Family One Future". G20 Sherpa recalled Prime Minister's statement at the G20 Bali Summit that India's Presidency will be "inclusive, ambitious, decisive and action-oriented". In the context of the multiple challenges facing the world today, conversations on our priorities at the briefing covered shared priorities in areas such as (i) public digital goods and digital infrastructure; (ii) climate action, climate finance and technology collaborations; (iii) clean, sustainable, just, affordable and includive energy transition; (iv) accelerated progress on sustainable development goals; (v) women-led development; and (vi) multilateral reforms.
Chief G20 Coordinator briefed Missions about the extensive arrangements for G20 meetings across India, and facilitation for participation of delegates. He recalled that the day also marks India's Constitution Day and the 14th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks, and the importance of facing global challenges together.
An overview on ongoing finance track deliberations and our approach was also provided by the Representative of the Department of Economic Affairs.
At the end of the briefing, OSD(Operations) Muktesh Pardeshi and AS(G20) Abhay Thakur answered a range of queries from Missions on travel, visas, protocol, security and participation of invitees.
Heads of Missions were provided a detailed briefing on the history, culture, environment and development of the Andaman & Nicobar islands by Chief Secretary Keshav Chandra. Delegates expressed appreciation for the elaborate arrangements put into place by the Union Territory to make the meeting a success.
In addition to the briefing, delegates also took part in a yoga session, followed by a beach cleaning activity, which symbolize our pro-planet, sustainable lifestyles and One Earth approach. Delegates also visited the historic Cellular Jail at Port Blair, where a large number of our unsung heroes were imprisoned for the cause of our freedom struggle. The visit concluded with a cultural program by local artists.
The diplomatic briefing in the beautiful and historic Swaraj Dweep of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, as the G20 Presidency moves to India from our neighbour across the Andaman Sea, was highly appreciated by the visiting Heads/Representatives of Missions.
