PM Modi hands over G20 presidency to Brazil as summit draws to close
The prime minister also proposed G20 virtual summit in November end to review progress on matters decided in this summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (September 10) announced the closure of the two-day G20 Summit after handing over the gavel of G20 presidency to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“I congratulate Brazilian President and my friend Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva," said PM Modi as he handed over G20 presidency to Brazil. Responding to it, Brazilian President Lula said, “I congratulate PM Modi for efficiently leading G20 bloc and for excellent work in this summit.”
PM Modi also proposed a virtual session of the G20 around the end of November to take stock of the suggestions and decisions made at the leaders’ summit that concluded in New Delhi on Sunday. In his concluding remarks at the final session of the two-day G20 summit here, Modi noted that India's presidency of G20 would officially continue till November 30 and over two-and-half months were left for its tenure as the head of the grouping. “It is my proposal that we hold another session of the G20 virtually in November-end. In that session, we can review the issues that have been agreed upon during this summit. Our teams will share the details of it with all of view. I hope all of you will join this (session),” he said. “With this I declare the G20 summit as closed,” Modi said while citing a Sanskrit shloka to pray for hope and peace in entire world.
Earlier, Prime Minister Modi made a fresh push for reforms in global institutions, including the United Nations, asserting that the world's “new realities” should be reflected in “new global structure” as it is nature’s law that those who don't change with times lose their relevance. “It is necessary the global bodies should reflect today's realities to lead the world towards a better future,” Modi said at the ‘One Future’ session in the G20 Summit, citing the United Nations Security Council as an example for a body needing change. He said the world was totally different when the UN was established with 51 founding members as their numbers have now risen to nearly 200.
“Despite this, the number of permanent members in the UNSC remains the same. The world has since changed a lot in every aspect. Be it transport, communication, health and education, every sector has been transformed. These new realities should reflect in our new global structure,” he said.
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10 Sept 2023 10:47 AM ISTBritish PM Sunak, wife Akshata perform 'puja' at Akshardham temple
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty visited the Akshardham temple in New Delhi on Sunday and offered prayers.
Ahead of the visit of G20 leaders to Rajghat to pay homage to Mahatma Gandhi, Sunak, who was dressed in trousers and a shirt, and his wife, wearing a kurta with palazzo, reached the temple early morning and were accorded a traditional welcome. Sunak was then greeted by swamis, as well as senior leaders from the Akshardham Mandir, who relayed a special message on behalf of Mahant Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS).
During his visit, the British prime minister was given an overview of Swaminarayan Akshardham, a 100-acre spiritual and cultural complex that portrays the traditions and ancient architecture of India and promotes the timeless Hindu spiritual messages of faith, devotion and harmony, a statement issued by BAPS said. Inside the main temple complex, Sunak and his wife paid their respects to the sacred images and admired the art and architecture. The couple also performed abhishek (ritual pouring of water) on the 'murti' of Shri Nilkanth Varni Maharaj, and offered prayers for world peace, progress and harmony, the statement said.
“My wife and I were delighted to visit Swaminarayan Akshardham for darshan and puja this morning. We were amazed and awed by the beauty of this temple and its universal message of peace, harmony, and becoming a better human being. This is not only a place of worship, but a landmark that also portrays India's values, culture and contributions to the world," Sunak was quoted as saying.
“We see today in Britain these very same values and culture through the positive contributions the British Indian community makes to our country," he said.
“I was honoured to have received the blessings of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj conveyed to me this morning, and I understand that His Holiness is inaugurating another beautiful Swaminarayan Akshardham temple in Robbinsville, USA very soon. I would like to send my very best wishes to His Holiness and all the devotees of BAPS ahead of the opening,” Sunak said.
Brahmavihari Swami, the senior swami of the sanstha, said it was an honour to welcome the British prime minister to Swaminarayan Akshardham and share Mahant Swami Maharaj’s message of peace, unity and public service.
“The UK’s relationship with India is built on a bond of friendship and fostered by cultural exchanges as well as a vibrant Indian diaspora in the UK,” he said.
The British prime minister spent almost one hour at the temple as he performed 'darshan and puja' there.
