As the G20 summit in India concludes, UK PM Rishi Sunak announced Britain's largest single contribution of £1.62 billion to the Green Climate Fund helping vulnerable nations tackle climate change impacts. The fund established by 194 countries post COP15 supports developing countries on emissions reduction and adaptation. The new pledge is a 12.7% increase over the UK's 2020-2023 contribution which had already doubled initial funding. Sunak called on G20 leaders to reduce emissions and assist vulnerable economies ahead of COP28. He stated the UK is delivering on climate commitments both through domestic decarbonization and global assistance.

US President Joe Biden departed for Vietnam after, concluding his trip to India for the G20 summit. On his first visit as President, Biden arrived in Delhi on Friday and held extensive talks with PM Modi, vowing to deepen the major bilateral defense partnership. The over 50-minute meeting welcomed progress on India procuring US-made drones and joint jet engine development. Before leaving Delhi, Biden joined other world leaders at Rajghat to honour Gandhi's legacy. Biden now heads to Vietnam after reaffirming and advancing cooperation across defense, climate, health, trade, and Indo-Pacific coordination. [photo: @airnewsalerts]

On day two of the G20 summit, world leaders including US President Biden, UK PM Sunak, Australian PM Albanese, Canadian PM Trudeau, Japanese PM Kishida, UN head Guterres, WHO chief Tedros, and World Bank President Banga joined PM Modi in paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Delhi's Rajghat. The visit follows significant outcomes on opening day like the adoption of the 'Delhi Declaration', the launch of a rail-port network between the US, India, Saudi Arabia, and Europe, a global biofuels alliance, and a call to end the trust deficit. PM Modi inviting the African Union to become a permanent G20 member was also significant. The Rajghat commemoration underscored India's ethos of universal harmony that has shaped its G20 presidency agenda.

The G20 New Delhi Declaration adopted unanimously on Day 1 avoided condemning Russia but urged states to respect UN principles and refrain from territorial seizures. It sought immediate delivery of grains and fertilizers to developing nations and flagged concerns about food, and energy volatility. While committing to a coal phase-down per national circumstances, the G20 pledged to triple renewable energy by 2030. The declaration also called for reforms of international institutions, managing debt in poorer nations, and sharing crypto tax information by 2027. It reiterated calibrated policies to curb inflation and maintain stability. The African Union was welcomed as a new member, diversifying G20 voices.

The G20 dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi witnessed global leaders embracing Indian culture and traditions. Attendees like Japan's First Lady donned Indian sarees. IMF Chief Georgieva wore an Indian salwar suit promoting inclusivity through fashion. Bihar's Nalanda University was showcased to delegates. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman interacted with UK PM Sunak and Bangladesh PM Hasina. Assam's heritage including music of Sankardev and Bhupen Hazarika was included in the cultural program for dignitaries. The dinner provided an opportunity to showcase India's rich cultural diversity through music, fashion, heritage and cuisine to the world leaders. Prime Minister Modi and President Murmu helmed the cultural extravaganza.

A special musical night will be hosted at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi during the G20 Summit on Saturday. The event titled 'Musical Journey of India' will showcase India's diverse classical music forms through 78 artists playing 34 Carnatic and 26 folk instruments from different regions. The artists include 11 children, 13 women, 6 challenged artists and young performers alongside professionals. The evening aims to present a harmonious journey of the country through its various musical heritage to the visiting global leaders. The unique presentation has been organized under Bharat Vadya Darshan which will highlight India's rich and vibrant legacy of music. (Video courtesy: DD News)

At the G20 Summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and world leaders launched the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor aimed at boosting trade ties. Modi said the corridor will provide a new direction for connectivity and sustainable development by integrating India, the Middle East and Europe economically. The corridor links railways and ports across the Middle East including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. Modi lauded the "historic agreement", stating it will be an effective medium for economic integration between the regions. US President Biden thanked Modi for the initiative which he called a "big deal". EU President Von der Leyen also termed the launch "historic". The corridor focuses on infrastructure to strengthen connectivity and trade.

At the G20 summit in New Delhi, India announced the creation of a global biofuel alliance with founding members the US and Brazil to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources. The alliance aims to increase global trade and production of biofuels from renewable feedstocks like plant and animal waste to help countries meet net zero emissions targets. India, the world's third largest oil importer, plans to triple its domestic biofuels output by 2030. The country has set a 2025 target for 20% ethanol blending in gasoline and will build 12 bio-refineries to produce fuel from agricultural waste and municipal solid waste. The biofuel alliance mirrors India's International Solar Alliance launched in 2015.

In a big win for India's G20 Presidency, a consensus was reached on the "New Delhi Declaration" and it has been adopted at the mega Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the consensus and stated "I have received good news. Due to the hard work of our team, consensus has been built on the G20 Leaders' Summit Declaration." Modi proposed adopting the declaration and said "I congratulate my Sherpa, ministers, who worked hard for it and made it possible." The quick adoption of the joint declaration on the first day of talks is seen as a major diplomatic achievement for India during its G20 presidency, despite deep divisions among member states on issues like the Ukraine war. World leaders applauded as Modi declared the consensus.

At the G20 Summit, PM Modi shared a video offering a glimpse of his productive morning welcoming influential world leaders in Delhi. The clip shows Modi arriving at the Bharat Mandapam venue with EAM Jaishankar and NSA Doval. He then warmly greets President Biden, UK PM Sunak, Saudi Crown Prince Salman, Japan's Kishida, Italy's Meloni, Turkey's Erdogan, German Chancellor Scholz, and Australian PM Albanese among other heads. The promising interactions highlighted Modi's personal outreach to key global figures as India hosts the momentous summit. The visuals reflected the excitement and potential of India engaging multiple major powers at once through the G20 platform.