New Delhi - As India prepares to host the highly anticipated G20 Summit, several world leaders have arrived in New Delhi. The latest arrivals include Ursula von der Leyen, Managing Director and Chairman of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and European Union (EU) officials. Kristalina Georgieva, the head of the IMF, was warmly greeted upon her arrival with a traditional folk dance performance. She not only appreciated the dance but also joined in with a few dance steps. Despite global challenges such as climate change and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the IMF has projected India's growth at 6.1 percent for the current fiscal year (April 2023-March 2024).
Ursula von der Leyen, representing the EU, also landed in the national capital and was welcomed by Anupriya Singh Patel, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. A special dance performance marked her arrival. Notably, the EU holds a significant position in India's international trade, being the country's second-largest trading partner and export market, while India ranks as the EU's 10th largest trading partner, accounting for 2 percent of EU total trade in goods. Trade in services between the EU and India reached 40 billion euros in 2021.
Mauritius Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth received a warm reception upon his arrival at the New Delhi Airport, where he was greeted by Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Ports and Shipping. The welcoming ceremony included a traditional folk dance performance. India shares a special and enduring bond with Mauritius, driven by historical, demographic, and cultural ties. One significant factor in this close relationship is that nearly 70 percent of Mauritius's population is of Indian origin.
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu was the first head of state to arrive in the national capital for the upcoming G20 Summit scheduled for September 9-10. This visit marks his first official visit to India since assuming office in May 2023. Tinubu is expected to participate in and deliver keynote addresses at both the Nigeria-India Presidential Roundtable and the Nigeria-India Business Conference on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.
The 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi will serve as the culmination of a year of G20 processes and meetings, involving ministers, senior officials, and civil societies. At the conclusion of the G20 Summit, G20 leaders will adopt a declaration, reaffirming their commitment to the priorities discussed and agreed upon during various ministerial and working group meetings. The G20 presidency will be passed to Brazil in 2024, followed by South Africa in 2025.