New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi the need for an early resolution of all outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, and asserted that bilateral ties should be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.At a one-hour meeting in Bali on the sidelines of a conclave of foreign ministers of the G20 nations, Jaishankar and Wang looked forward to the next round of military talks between the two sides at an early date to resolve the border issue. Jaishankar also discussed with Wang the vexed issue of the return of Indian students to China and the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. On the discussions on the border row, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Jaishankar reaffirmed the importance of 'fully abiding' by bilateral agreements and protocols, and the understandings reached between him and Wang in their previous conversations.'The External Affairs Minister (EAM) called for an early resolution of all the outstanding issues along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh,' the MEA said in a statement. Recalling the disengagement achieved in some friction areas, Jaishankar reiterated the need to sustain the momentum to complete disengagement from all the remaining areas to restore peace and tranquillity in border areas.'He reaffirmed the importance of fully abiding by bilateral agreements and protocols, and the understandings reached between the two ministers during their previous conversations,' the MEA said.'In this regard, both ministers affirmed that the military and diplomatic officials of the two sides should continue maintaining regular contact and looked forward to the next round of senior commanders' meeting at an early date,' it said. Jaishankar also reiterated that the India-China relationship is best served by observing the three mutuals -- mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interests. The MEA said Jaishankar also recalled his meeting with Wang in Delhi in March and reviewed the progress of some key issues discussed then, including the return of students. 'The EAM stressed the need for expediting the process and facilitating the return of students on an early date,' the MEA said.'Began my day in Bali by meeting FM Wang Yi of China. Discussion lasted one hour. Focused on specific outstanding issues in our bilateral relationship pertaining to the border situation. Also spoke about other matters including students and flights,' Jaishankar tweeted. Thousands of Indian students were unable to return to China for over two years due to Beijing's COVID-19 restrictions. India has been taking up the issue with China several times. There have been discussions between the two sides on the resumption of direct flights but there has been no forward movement on the issue. The flight services were suspended due to the pandemic. 'The two ministers also exchanged perspectives on other regional and global developments. Foreign Minister Wang Yi appreciated India's support during China's BRICS Chairship this year and assured China's support for India's upcoming G20 and SCO Presidency. They agreed to remain in touch,' the MEA said. The BRICS is a grouping comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit.China hosted a virtual summit of the grouping last month. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. It was the first meeting between the two foreign ministers since Wang visited India on March 24 and 25. In May, India and China held diplomatic talks on the border row and agreed to hold the next round of the Senior Commanders' meeting at an early date to achieve complete disengagement from all friction points in eastern Ladakh.However, both sides are yet to decide on the military talks.The border standoff between the Indian and Chinese militaries erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.The face-off escalated after the Galwan Valley clashes on June 15, 2020.Both sides gradually enhanced their deployment by rushing in tens of thousands of soldiers as well as heavy weaponry.As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process last year in the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area. Each side currently has around 50,000 to 60,000 troops along the LAC in the sensitive sector.—PTI

 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday conveyed to his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi the need for an early resolution of all outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control in eastern Ladakh, and asserted that bilateral ties should be based on mutual respect, mutual sensitivity and mutual interest.

Need Early Solution Of Ladakh: S Jaishankar To Wang Yi

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan held a bilateral meeting with HE Victor Godoy, Minister of Education, Brazil, in Bali today. The Ministers had fruitful discussions on deepening the bilateral engagements in education, entrepreneurship, research and innovation. They agreed to revive the Joint Working Group engagements in the areas of education and skill development between our two countries.
Shri Pradhan said that research collaborations in priority areas like energy security, collaborations in traditional medicine, preventive healthcare, yoga, ayurveda &amp; digital technologies, linkages between Higher Education Institutions &amp; Skill institutions are key areas that can immensely benefit both India and Brazil.
HE Victor Godoy expressed his keenness to deepen academic and research engagements and make our coperation in education more vibrant. As a G20 Troika co-chair, he also expressed Brazil’s support to India in taking forward the EdWG agenda during our upcoming presidency. Later, Shri Pradhan also interacted with Indian community at Seminyak in Bali.

 Union Education and Skill Development Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan held a bilateral meeting with HE Victor Godoy, Minister of Education, Brazil, in Bali today. 

Pradhan Holds Bilateral Meeting With His Brazilian Counterpart In Bali 

Moscow: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Uzbekistan on September 15 and 16 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Both leaders will discuss Russian-Indian cooperation within the UN and G20 during the SCO summit, Presidential aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters Tuesday.
"A conversation on the international agenda with PM Modi will also take place, the sides will discuss issues of strategic stability, the situation in the Asia Pacific Region, and, of course, cooperation within major multilateral formats, such as the UN, the G20 and the SCO," Ushakov said, reported Russian news agency Tass.
It is reported that India will lead the SCO and will also chair the G20. "This is particularly important, because India will preside in the UN Security Council in December, and, in 2023, India will lead the SCO and also chair the G20," he added. PM Modi is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping besides Russian President Putin. As per sources, PM Modi is likely to have bilateral meetings with Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand.
"PM Modi's bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev are almost fixed and the meetings will take place on the sidelines of the SCO summit in Samarkand," a source told ANI. The Prime Minister would also have other bilateral meetings during the summit which begins on September 14 at Samarkand in Uzbekistan. The Indian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Manish Prabhat had said earlier that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would attend the summit and hold bilateral meetings with several leaders.
"Leaders of SCO member countries are meeting after two years due to the COVID pandemic. Some bilateral meetings will take place on the sidelines of the SCO. Still, the programme of the meetings will be finalised in due course," Ambassador Prabhat had told ANI in an exclusive interview.
"Economic cooperation in the SCO is an important question, which will be discussed in the SCO meetings. When we are meeting with central Asian countries, we discuss connectivity which will promote trade, investment and other exchanges between Indian and central Asian countries," he told ANI.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi are also expected to attend the summit. Uzbekistan is the chair of SCO 2022 and India will be the next chair of the SCO. —ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Uzbekistan on September 15 and 16 to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit where he will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Modi, Putin To Discuss Russian-Indian Cooperation In UN, G20 During SCO Summit

New Delhi (The Hawk): Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri. Bhupender Yadav, attended the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting at Bali, Indonesia on 13 – 14 September 2022.
Speaking at the Ministerial session, Union Minister spoke about the importance of countries to come together for promotion of responsive and robust policies relating to employment generation, social protection, skilling and formalization, in the post pandemic period for ensuring a more resilient, equitable and sustainable recovery.
The Union Minister also commended Indonesia for selecting the priority areas which are critical in the ever changing world of work. These are, Labour Market Integration of Persons with Disabilities, Sustainable Growth and Productivity in Human Capacity Development through Strengthening Community Based Vocational Training, Promoting Entrepreneurship and Supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) as a Job Creation Instrument and Adapting Labour Protection for More Effective Protection and Increased Resilience for All Workers. Union Minister also drew the attention towards the exemplary achievements of India in all these areas. He highlighted the provisions made in the social security code for providing social security to the gig and platform workers. He further emphasized that the skill development is being aligned to the need of future of work. He said that the experiences gained from this year’ G20 Employment Working Group meetings would aid India in its upcoming presidency and would contribute to our pursuit of securing labour welfare, in light of the dynamic nature of the 21st Century world of work.
Union Minister also held several bilateral meetings with Countries including Germany, Singapore, UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Netherlands, and Turkiye. In all these meetings, Minister briefed on our upcoming Presidency and broad priorities and sought the support of these Countries and Organizations for our goals. Need for signing of Migration and Mobility Agreement and Social Security Agreement at the earliest was highlighted for facilitating ease of mobility and for ensuring social security to the international workers.
Union Minister also attended the welcome dinner hosted by H.E. Ida Fauziyah, Minister of Manpower, Indonesia and witnessed the Joint statement by B20 – L20, two prominent engagement groups of G20.

Union Minister of Labour and Employment, Shri. Bhupender Yadav, attended the G20 Labour and Employment Ministers’ meeting at Bali, Indonesia on 13 – 14 September 2022.

 Bhupender Yadav, Attends G20 Labour And Employment Ministers’ Meet At Bali

New York: The Ministers participating in the India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperative Forum (IBSA) held discussions on several global and regional issues, including cooperation in multilateral organizations, UNSC reform, climate change and the Ukraine situation.
On the sidelines of the 77th United Nations General Assembly, India hosted the 10th Ministerial Commission of Foreign Ministers of the IBSA. External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar met with his Brazilian counterpart Carlos Franca and South African Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla. The trio reaffirmed the cooperation between India, Brazil and South Africa.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs statement, global issues such as cooperation in multilateral organizations, South-South cooperation, UNSC Reform, 2030 Agenda &amp; Sustainable Development Goals, Climate Change, countering terrorism, financing for development, WTO, and G20 were discussed. While Regional including African Union, the Middle East Peace Process, and the situation in Ukraine were discussed in the meeting.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar chaired the meeting on September 21. As per the ministry, the Ministers reviewed the entire gamut of IBSA cooperation. They welcomed new initiatives within IBSA, such as the inaugural meeting of the IBSA National Security Advisors, the launch of cooperation amongst the Development Cooperation Agencies in the form of IBSA Working Group on International/Trilateral Development Partnerships and the inaugural IBSA Senior Officials Meeting on Traditional Medicines.
IBSA exemplifies the spirit of South-South cooperation. The IBSA Fund is a special feature of the IBSA collaboration. It has since its inception, allocated over USD44 million, supporting 39 South-South cooperation development projects in 35 partner countries, the majority being Least Developed Countries. The Ministers supported the legitimate aspiration of African countries to have a permanent presence in the UNSC and supported Brazil's and India's endeavour to occupy permanent seats in the Security Council. The Ministers also noted the upcoming G20 Presidencies of India and Brazil in 2023 and 2024, as useful opportunities to cooperate and steer the G20 Agenda and work with a developmental perspective, the MEA said.
Meanwhile, Jaishankar, on day 3 interacted with his counterparts of four countries. He met with his Estonia counterpart Urmas Reinsalu, Norway Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt, Bolivia's Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta and UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
Jaishankar will address world leaders at the General Assembly on Saturday, after which he will leave for Washington and a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. —ANI

The Ministers participating in the India-Brazil-South Africa Trilateral Cooperative Forum (IBSA) held discussions on several global and regional issues, including cooperation in multilateral organizations, UNSC reform, climate change and the Ukraine situation.

Regional, Global Issues Discussed In 10th IBSA Ministerial Meet Hosted By India

New Delhi (The Hawk): “Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership attaches topmost importance to the health sector. We are committed to protecting global health and making sure we leave behind for the coming generations a better and healthier planet to live in”. This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare as he addressed the second G20 Health Ministers Meeting in Bali, Indonesia today. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress and way forward on priorities in the healthcare sector.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated that “India is committed to contributing immensely to creating a future-ready and resilient global healthcare ecosystem”. At the same time he also elaborated on building global health resilience wherein the proposal of a Financial Intermediary Fund was discussed. He also highlighted the need to acknowledge existing fault lines in the Global Health Architecture and the importance of building an inclusive, agile and responsive framework for health emergency management.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Dr Mandaviya also encouraged all G20 members to contribute their public keys to the proposed Global Federated Public Trust Directory for ensuring seamless worldwide mobility of people and goods.&nbsp;

“Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership attaches topmost importance to the health sector. We are committed to protecting global health and making sure we leave behind for the coming generations a better and healthier planet to live in”. 

Dr Mansukh Mandaviya Addresses Second G20 Health Ministers Meet

New Delhi (The Hawk): “The need is to ensure sustainable financing, IHR reforms and seamless discussions among intergovernmental negotiating body in the WHO (SETA), GAVI, G7 and G20 for creating a ‘fit-for purpose’ global healthcare ecosystem”. This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare during his concluding remarks at the Second G20 Health Ministerial Meeting, in Bali, Indonesia today.
The Union Minister started his address by supporting his Indonesian counterpart’s call for prioritizing manufacturing and research hubs for medical countermeasures in order to ensure that the world is prepared to counter any future medical challenges. In that context, he also highlighted the need to “consolidate efforts taken by the G20 towards managing the COVID19 pandemic by creating a permanent medical countermeasure platform and ensuring availability of safe, quality and affordable diagnostic vaccines and therapeutics”.
Expressing his appreciation for Indonesia, Italy, Saudi Arabia and past Presidencies of the G20, the Union Health Minister outlined India’s plan to prioritize “health emergency prevention, preparedness and response; strengthening cooperation in the pharmaceutical sector with focus on availability and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medical counter-measures; and digital health innovation and solution to aid universal health coverage and improve healthcare service delivery” for the Health Working Groups during the upcoming Indian Presidency.
Dr Mandaviya also proposed site events such as Digital Health Workshop on collaborative research to expand access to medical counter-measures, medical value travel and holistic healthcare through evidence based traditional medicines to support, supplement and enrich G20 discussions.
Dr Mandaviya ended his speech by extending a warm welcome and invitation to the Health Ministers of the G20 and other participants to the next G20 Health Ministerial Meeting to be hosted by India. He also sought their support and cooperation in creating an equitable global health architecture for all.

“The need is to ensure sustainable financing, IHR reforms and seamless discussions among intergovernmental negotiating body in the WHO (SETA), GAVI, G7 and G20 for creating a ‘fit-for purpose’ global healthcare ecosystem”. This was stated by Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare during his concluding remarks at the Second G20 Health Ministerial Meeting, in Bali, Indonesia today.

Mandaviya Delivers Concluding Remarks At The Second G20 Health Ministerial Meeting

New Delhi (The Hawk): The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Monday emphasised the importance of demand-side perspectives in the transition to clean energy of crucial sectors and the need for inclusive global clean energy transition mechanisms that go beyond the context of coal. India is set to assume the G20 presidency this year.
TERI listed agriculture, micro, small, and medium-sized companies (MSMEs), and transportation as the key sectors.
Energy transitions, which are essential to attaining sustainable development and climate goals, have recently been predominately focused on "just transitions" in the coal industry, with a strong emphasis on energy supply and mitigation components.
Since COP26, just transitions have gained steam in the conversation about climate change and will also be a top goal for the COP27 Presidency.
"Inclusive Energy Transitions: Messages for the G20 Forum," a policy brief Analysis of the three energy and carbon-intensive sectors of agriculture, MSMEs, and transport in G20 nations, produced by TERI as part of its Act4Earth SDG Charter initiative, highlights the need for the G20 forum to support consensus building and spur the push for normative shifts to bring more attention to the energy demand aspects of the three sectors.
It also draws attention to the lack of gender inclusion policies in the G20 nations' MSMEs, agricultural, and transportation sectors.
Ajay Shankar, Distinguished Fellow at TERI and former Secretary of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, commented on the urgent need to close the gaps, saying: "The G20 consume over 70% of global energy, and as India takes over the G20 Presidency at the end of the year, it would have the responsibility of shaping a consensus on not only a faster energy transition but also on it being just and inclusive, especially from a gender perspective."
According to him, the TERI report argues that the energy transition agenda for the transportation, MSMEs, and agricultural sectors must take a comprehensive approach.
The importance of including supply and demand views in energy systems was emphasised by Shailly Kedia, Senior Fellow and Associate Director at TERI. The G20 can push for global indicator frameworks on SDGs to record and monitor energy demand-side indicators as well as gender disaggregated data. Markets on just transitions of energy systems should take energy demand into account rather than only supply.
At the COP27, the conversation about just transitions must include both adaptation and inclusive energy demand interventions. She stated that transitions must be "fair" and "inclusive."
The emphasis on energy production and mitigation, she continued, "is not consistent with the values of fairness and climate justice."
The EU and G20 nations consumed more than one-third of the world's energy (71.6 percent in 2019). The policy brief emphasises the need to concentrate on demand-side policy interventions during India's G20 Presidency through the special working group on energy transitions under the Sherpa track, despite the focus being biassed toward the supply-side.
It states that when it comes to inclusive energy transitions and bolstering the priority regions, India can take on a normative leadership position in energy demand side management domains.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) on Monday emphasised the importance of demand-side perspectives in the transition to clean energy of crucial sectors and the need for inclusive global clean energy transition mechanisms that go beyond the context of coal. India is set to assume the G20 presidency this year.

G20 must broaden its discussion on the energy transition: TERI

Jaipur (The Hawk): The Prince of Mewar, Vishwaraj Singh, claimed in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers S. Jaishankar and G. Kishan Reddy that a formal approval should have been obtained before choosing a contentious location for the G20 Sherpa meeting, which is scheduled to take place from December 4–7.
The late Maharana Bhagwat Singh Mewar's son, Vishwaraj Singh, said in his letter that legal disputes have been raging for years regarding the ownership of the City Palace, which was used as the site.
Therefore, he continues, it should have been done with the consent of the other property owners.
The current leader of our family is Maharana Mahendra Singh ji Mewar, and we have learned from local press reports that a G20 summit is set to take place in Udaipur. The locations mentioned include several of our family holdings that are all located inside the limits of the City Palace in Udaipur, which were established following the union of the State of Udaipur-Mewar with the Union of India. Please take note that in our family's partition suit 14/11, which was filed on April 22, 1983, the Hon'ble District Court, Udaipur determined that the family possessions belonged to the Hindu United Family (HUF). Local, regional, and national media outlets have covered the family's legal battle over the years as well as this particular order. Orders of status quo persist with regard to the entirety of the suit properties despite the stay, which is in effect while an appeal is pending in proceedings with case number 420/20 before the Hon'ble High Court of Rajasthan in Jodhpur.
Please take notice that some of the properties' transfer to and usage by businesses and other entities have been contested in these actions, while others have been acknowledged by all parties as having been given to no one at all.
An earlier decision by the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal Bombay Bench 'A' IRA No. 459, 460, 461/JP/1979, which was never appealed, likewise supported the joint family (HUF) status of the family estate.
Various taxing bodies and other cases before the Honourable High Court of Rajasthan in Jodhpur have also acknowledged the HUF's legal character. If needed, additional information can be given. According to Hindu Law, my father is the "Karta" of the family HUF, thus if the press claims are accurate, it would be against our rights as citizens of this nation for such an event to be planned without consulting the owners.
"Those in high positions are obligated to protect the honour of the positions they occupy and the positions held by their invitees by abstaining from involvement in actions that are, at the very least, extremely contentious and under investigation.
The Prince continues in the letter, "What is the message being communicated to lesser authorities who have to make sure that court rulings and other legal provisions are not broken when those above prefer to flaunt their involvement with such crimes.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The Prince of Mewar, Vishwaraj Singh, claimed in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Ministers S. Jaishankar and G. Kishan Reddy that a formal approval should have been obtained before choosing a contentious location for the G20 Sherpa meeting, which is scheduled to take place from December 4–7.

G20 disputed site venue should have been approved first: Mewar Prince tells PM

Bali (The Hawk): The 17th G20 Summit got underway on Tuesday in Bali, a tourist destination in Indonesia, with topics like the global economic recovery, global health systems, and climate change taking centre stage.
Other topics, such as digital transformation and food and energy security, will also be covered during the two-day summit, which has the motto "Recover Together, Recover Stronger," according to the Xinhua news agency.
Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, spoke at the summit's opening ceremony and expressed his hope that it could serve as a spark for an inclusive global economic recovery.
The President emphasised that being responsible entails persistently upholding international law and the goals and objectives of the UN Charter as well as fostering win-win rather than zero-sum situations.
Widodo urged people to act intelligently, take responsibility, and lead by saying, "We should not divide the globe into sections."
The world is currently dealing with a number of issues, including the shaky economic recovery, the protracted Covid-19 pandemic, higher-than-average inflation, tightening financial circumstances in most regions, and others.
The global economy was expected to expand by 3.2% this year and 2.7% in 2023, according to projections made by the International Monetary Fund in October. The July forecast for 2023 had been revised downward by 0.2 percentage points.
The world community is counting on the major economies to improve macroeconomic policy coordination and advance multilateralism, openness, inclusivity, and win-win collaboration during the summit.
The G20, which was founded in 1999, serves as a focal point for global collaboration on financial and economic concerns.
It includes the European Union and 19 other nations.
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, United Kingdom, and the United States are the nations in question.
(Inputs from Agencies)

The 17th G20 Summit got underway on Tuesday in Bali, a tourist destination in Indonesia, with topics like the global economic recovery, global health systems, and climate change taking centre stage.

G20 summit gets underway, economic growth and climate change are top priorities

New Delhi (The Hawk): On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the condition of the bilateral strategic relationship, covering areas like key and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.
In their encounter, which took place on the fringes of the G-20 summit in this Indonesian city, the two presidents also spoke about recent global and regional developments, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
It is known that the crisis in Ukraine and its effects came up in the conversation.
According to the MEA, the two leaders underlined their delight with the tight collaboration between the US and India in new groups like Quad and I2U2.
On the sidelines of the G-20 Leaders' Summit in Bali today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with President Joseph R. Biden, the MEA reported.
According to a statement, "They reviewed the ongoing strengthening of the India-US strategic partnership, including cooperation in future-focused industries including critical and emerging technologies, advanced computing, artificial intelligence, etc."
The MEA reported that the two leaders spoke about recent regional and international issues.
"President Biden was congratulated by Prime Minister Modi for continuing to support the development of the US-India alliance. During India's G-20 Presidency, he expressed optimism that the two nations would continue to work closely together "It read.
While Israel, the US, and the United Arab Emirates make up the I2U2, the Quad is made up of India, the US, Australia, and Japan.
India is currently a member of the G20 Troika, which also includes Indonesia, Italy, and the incoming G20 presidency.
The invitation to attend the conference came from Indonesian President Joko Widodo. The G-20 is currently being chaired by Indonesia.
(Inputs from Agencies)

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed the condition of the bilateral strategic relationship, covering areas like key and emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.

Modi and Biden meet in Bali to discuss their relationships

Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar Islands): India will put forward a different perspective to the task of the G20 Summit, that respects those developing countries across in a better way that we need to encourage and support, said Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell on Friday as India all set to assume the G20 presidency on December 1 this year.
"India will bring a different perspective to the task of the G20, a perspective that respects better those developing countries across that we need to encourage &amp; support," Barry O'Farrell told ANI.
Moreover, Russian Ambassador Denis Alipov, who was also present in Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser also reaffirmed his support for India's upcoming G20 Presidency.
"We'll support all endeavours of India in the year to come," the Russian ambassador said while speaking to ANI.
Over 40 various heads of missions and heads of international organisations visited Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser on Friday, ahead of India assuming the G20 presidency on December 1. The delegates took a tour of the Cellular Jail where author and ideologue Veer Savarkar was lodged by the British.
G20's India coordinator, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and G-20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant accompanied the delegates during the tour.
On the reason behind the selection of Andaman and Nicobar Islands for the G20 curtain raiser, Shringla said, "Andaman is very important. If you recall when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Bali for the G20 Summit, he told the Indonesian President that we are not 90 nautical miles apart, we are 90 nautical miles close. So that 90 nautical kilometres are right here, right in the Andamans. So this is symbolic. Andaman is the closest to Indonesia."
Meanwhile, G-20 Sherpa said, "We have started our journey from Andamans because there are unsung freedom fighters who were imprisoned in the cellular jail of India. And therefore, we thought it fit that many of our freedom fighters, including Veer Savarkar, who was imprisoned here, should tell the stories to all the foreigners and ambassadors, as well as leading international organisations and all the invitees."
British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis was also present in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and said India is the right country to be having the G20 presidency at this time because it can bring other countries together at this difficult time when the world faces myriad challenges.
"Cellular Jail, Port Blair is a part of the past here. It's important for someone in my position to bear witness and acknowledge some of the shameful acts perpetrated there. It's a place I show respect to &amp; understanding of," he added.
Earlier on November 16, PM Modi, during his address in Bali, Indonesia said that India will work jointly with G-20 partners towards its objective. The principle of "Data for development" will be an integral part of the overall theme of our Presidency "One Earth, One Family, One Future", he said.
The agenda of India's G20 Presidency will likely be cooperation for sustainable and equitable development for shared global peace and prosperity and capacity building to face emerging global challenges. —ANI

India will put forward a different perspective to the task of the G20 Summit, that respects those developing countries across in a better way that we need to encourage and support, said Australia's High Commissioner to India, Barry O'Farrell on Friday as India all set to assume the G20 presidency on December 1 this year.

India Will Bring Different Perspective To The Task Of G20: Australian Envoy Barry O'farrell

New Delhi: Two days before India assumes the presidency of G20, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday said New Delhi would like to use the presidency of the group to reflect interests and concerns today of the global south.
Jaishankar made these remarks during the annual flagship event co-hosted by the Ministry of External Affairs and Carnegie India. The theme for this year's Summit is Geopolitics of Technology.
"India would like to use the presidency of G20 in many ways to reflect interests and concerns today of the global south as we feel they're being sidelined and not just be a voice but would like to take into global south something we've tested and prepared at home," said EAM at Global Tech Summit.
He made the remarks during a question-and-answer session at the event. On the issue of climate change, Jaishankar said, "Since 2014 there's been a different kind of approach to climate change in terms of our policies, advocacies, energy mix... When it comes to climate tech, India has a range of possibilities... There are Indian businesses in climate in COP now."
"We're actually already seeing the impact of climate events and climate change on politics. An example would be- the big debate today in Europe is if it will be able to survive the winter from the energy perspective," he added.
The minister noted that there is an intensification in big power competition and many agreements of the past will not continue. "We have already seen in the last few days, there are agreements which are not being renewed. It will become much harder to have new understandings," he said.
Underscoring the importance of data in national security he said, "Where our data is going is no longer matter of business and economics but of national security. Everything is being weaponised in this world of ours, I have to change my approach of where I should be protective of my interests."
He noted how India has started engagement on Indo Pacific Economic Framework. "US has been upfront on it. There is big technology and supply chain element to it. You have IPEF, Quad and a lot of bilateral discussions with different partners and big debates going on in our own country," he said. On the impact of the Ukraine conflict, he said the war has sucked up the oxygen in Europe. We will hopefully be doing our meeting in some more time."
Speaking at the seventh edition of the Global Technology Summit in New Delhi, the External Affairs Minister underscored the importance of technology in geopolitics and the emerging world order.
"We people, especially in India in the last two years, have woken up to the fact, where does our data reside? Who processes and harvests our data and what do they do with it? That is a very very key question," Jaishnakar said.
The minister emphasised that countries have fashioned their national security decisions by applying technology. "When we think today of the competitive politics sharper contradictions, I think we should be more and more cognisant," he said.
Jaishankar also pointed out that India cannot be agnostic about technology, saying that there is a very strong political connotation that is inbuilt into technology. He also emphasised that data is the new oil and strong political connotations are inbuilt into technology. —ANI

Two days before India assumes the presidency of G20, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Tuesday said New Delhi would like to use the presidency of the group to reflect interests and concerns today of the global south.

India's G20 Presidency Will Reflect Interests Of Global South, Says Jaishankar

New Delhi (The Hawk): India's G20 agenda, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be inclusive, ambitious, action-focused, and decisive.
One Earth, One Family, One Future is the theme chosen by India for its G20 presidency, according to Mr. Modi's opinion piece published in many newspapers today, December 1.
The Prime Minister claimed that this is more than simply a catchphrase because it considers current changes in people's circumstances, which we have all failed to recognise. Additionally, he exhorted the populace to band together in order to make India's G20 presidency one of reconciliation, harmony, and hope.
India would convey its experiences, lessons learned, and models while holding the G20 chair as potential models for others, particularly the poor world, Mr. Modi continued.
Regarding the environment and sustainability, Mr. Modi stated that India will support environmentally friendly and sustainable lifestyles based on its heritage of stewardship towards nature in order to heal the earth. India's priority, he continued, would be to repair One Earth, foster harmony within One Family, and provide hope for Our One Future.
In bringing up the geopolitical issue, Mr. Modi stated that India would work to depoliticize the world's supply of food, fertilisers, and medical supplies in order to promote unity within the human family and prevent humanitarian disasters from being caused by geopolitical tensions.
According to the prime minister, India will support an open dialogue between the world's most powerful nations about reducing the threats presented by WMD and boosting international security. According to Mr. Modi, India's G20 priorities would be developed in cooperation with both its G20 partners and its fellow travellers from the global South, whose voices are frequently ignored.
He claimed that the past 17 G20 presidencies had achieved notable benefits, including ensuring macroeconomic stability, streamlining international taxation, and reducing countries' debt loads, among many other things, and that India will profit from these successes and build even more on them.
(Inputs from Agencies)

India's G20 agenda, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, would be inclusive, ambitious, action-focused, and decisive. One Earth, One Family, One Future is the theme chosen by India for its G20 presidency, according to Mr. Modi's opinion piece published in many newspapers today, December 1.

As G20 President, India would seek to develop a sense of unity among all nations

New York: India is speaking to both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, country's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj has said, asserting that New Delhi's position has not been 'passive' on the war.
The President of the Security Council for December said India has taken the side of peace and favours de-escalation through diplomacy and dialogue.
India on Thursday assumed the Presidency of the 15-nation UN Security Council for the month of December, during which it will host signature events on countering terrorism and reformed multilateralism.
The Presidency will bring the curtains down on India's two-year tenure as an elected non-permanent member of the powerful UN organ.
Responding to a question at a press briefing, Kamboj asserted that New Delhi shares an important relationship with Moscow.
"India is too big a country. It stands tall and proud on its own. In the course of the conflict in Ukraine, we have been very clear and consistent right from the outset. We have spoken in one voice that we are for peace. Peace is also a side and we favor diplomacy and dialogue," Kamboj said.
Kamboj was responding to remarks by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov that NATO was trying to drag India into what he called an anti-Russian and anti-Chinese alliance and on India's relations with Russia and the West during the Ukraine war.
She said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar are 'speaking to both sides'.
"We are among the few countries, dare I say, which are speaking to both sides," she said, adding that Modi's comment that 'this is not an era of war' has received global acceptance and even found its way into the G20 declaration that was recently adopted in Bali.
India has been very mindful of the humanitarian situation and has shipped 12 medical consignments to Ukraine and given financial assistance to build educational institutions, she said.
"At the same time, we do have a relationship with Russia, an important relationship with Russia. And as far as the relationship with the United States is concerned, it's a comprehensive strategic partnership, which has never been closer, tighter, or stronger than it is today," she said.
When asked if India does not feel like NATO is trying to drag it into an anti-Russian or anti-Chinese alliance, Kamboj said, "I've just answered your question. We are a country that stands tall and proud and stands tall and proud on its own."
On India's approach as the UNSC President towards dealing with the issue of Ukraine, she said: "We will continue to engage with all parties."
"I think that is one of our strengths and it has been recognised as one of our strengths that we are a voice of moderation, a voice of reason and a bridge-builder. And we will walk the talk in the December presidency," Kamboj said.
Responding to a question on if enough is being done to bring Ukrainians and Russians to the negotiating table, Kamboj said, 'definitely there is an attempt and everything is not played out in the public domain as you can understand'.
"Parties are talking, people are talking, and everybody wants to de-escalate the situation. And we very much hope that sooner or later, this effort to de-escalate will succeed," she said.
She noted that India 'has been talking to both sides, is talking to both sides' and hopes that the situation de-escalates.
Kamboj did not answer the question on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's remarks at the high-level United Nations General Assembly session on some member states taking a neutral stance, saying it is not for her to comment on that statement.
"Our country has not been passive. Our country has stated very clearly that we have a position - that is we have taken the side of peace and we favor diplomacy and dialogue and we favor de-escalation and an early end to the conflict," she said.
India has also condemned the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in the course of the conflict, no matter who commits this.
New Delhi has stated very clearly that this conflict has had an immense impact and suffering on countries of the global South.
"And there, we've not been idle either. We have extended a helping hand despite constraints in our own country, helping Ukraine, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Sudan, Yemen and Sri Lanka," she said.
"So by any standard, this is not the stand of a country that is passive. This is the stand of a country that is creative, caring, contributory, that is willing to bring solutions to the global top table," she said.
Kamboj stressed that India has been very conscious of the fact that the conflict has had a very severe impact on the global South.
"There has, in fact, been collateral damage there and we have stated this, unhesitatingly so, in all our statements," she said. India has been ready to help its friends and partners in need and going forward, it will continue to do so, she asserted.
Kamboj said Ukraine is very much a focused matter in the Security Council and the UN body could meet during the month on the issue.
Noting that while a meeting or briefing on Ukraine is not yet listed in the Council's schedule for the month, Kamboj said 'rest assured the Security Council is very seized' of the matter and one should not be too surprised if it finds its way into the schedule.
She said the Council is actively following developments in both Ukraine and Haiti.
Referring to Prime Minister Modi's remarks in the context of India's G20 presidency, she said India will work towards unity. "When we say that the world is one, we mean that humankind is one and we are here to help each other. It is in that spirit that India has been extending humanitarian assistance, and is very effective as a first responder."
"So, we will continue to do that in the Council as well, to be a bridge builder and to be a voice of moderation and reason. That is the India way," she said, adding that 'we will continue to work with a lot of positivity'. —PTI

India is speaking to both sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, country's Permanent Representative at the United Nations Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj has said, asserting that New Delhi's position has not been 'passive' on the war.

Not 'Passive' On Russia-Ukraine War: India At UNSC

New Delhi (The Hawk): According to Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, India's G20 presidency will be a fantastic opportunity to forge an agreement on creating an open, connected, safe, and useful internet for all people.
Pichai said it is tremendously meaningful to be honoured in this way "by the country that shaped me" after receiving the Padma Bhushan, India's highest civilian honour, from Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India's ambassador to the US, in San Francisco.
"I am a product of India. It travels with me everywhere. I was lucky to have parents who made significant sacrifices so that I could have opportunities to pursue my interests and to grow up in a family that valued education and information "Late on Friday, Pichai stated in a blog entry.
He said that the "Digital India" initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has undoubtedly accelerated progress, and added, "I'm glad that Google continues to invest in India, working in partnership with governments, businesses, and communities across two transformative decades."
Google recently announced that it would invest $10 billion in India's digital future, working to make internet access more accessible and affordable, developing products for the country's particular needs, assisting businesses of all sizes with their digital transformation, and using artificial intelligence to address significant societal issues.
According to Pichai, "We're also investing heavily in digital skilling and have taught over 55,000 teachers in conjunction with the government and local organisations, as well as over 1 million women through our WomenWill Entrepreneurship Program."
Along with this, the tech giant funded over 100,000 Google Career Certificates in association with Tata Strive and the Nasscom Foundation.
"Using a recent development in machine learning, we added 24 new languages to Google Translate earlier this year. There are eight of them that are indigenous to India "Pichai remarked.
(Inputs from Agencies)

According to Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, India's G20 presidency will be a fantastic opportunity to forge an agreement on creating an open, connected, safe, and useful internet for all people.

Sundar Pichai: India's G20 Presidency will improve the global economy and open Internet

Chennai (The Hawk): M.K. Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, will travel to New Delhi early on Monday to attend the G20 preparation meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has organised.
The meeting starts at 5 o'clock.
Stalin would arrive back in Chennai by 11.30 p.m., according to the Chief Minister's office.
Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), the opposition leader in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and interim general secretary of the AIADMK, will also be present.
The PMO has made it clear that the parties cannot send representatives and that state party presidents must attend the meeting in their place. According to the Chief Minister's office, the preliminary meeting would discuss how the G20 will be held in India.
Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal, is also present at the conference and has informed the media that she is there in her capacity as the leader of the Trinamool Congress.
Anbumani Ramadoss, the state president of the PMK, is also most likely to attend the meeting.
(Inputs from Agencies)

M.K. Stalin, the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, will travel to New Delhi early on Monday to attend the G20 preparation meeting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has organised.

Stalin and EPS will attend the G20 planning meeting in Delhi

New Delhi (The Hawk): In order to examine various issues of India's G20 presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presided over a video meeting of the governors, chief ministers, and lieutenant governors.
According to official sources, he added that the G20 presidency of India belongs to the entire country and is a special chance to highlight the nation's advantages.
PM Modi emphasised the value of cooperation and asked the states for their support in planning other G20 events.
He emphasised that the G20 presidency would highlight areas of India outside of the typical huge metropolises, highlighting the distinctiveness of each region of our nation.
The Prime Minister urged states to rebrand themselves as appealing business, investment, and tourism destinations by highlighting the fact that a significant number of tourists would be travelling to India over the course of the next year as India holds the G20 presidency and the international media's focus on various events.
He also emphasised the necessity to guarantee attendees at the G20 events.
During the discussion, chief ministers and lieutenant governors exchanged opinions and discussed the preparations they were making to host G20 activities.
(Inputs from Agencies)

In order to examine various issues of India's G20 presidency, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday presided over a video meeting of the governors, chief ministers, and lieutenant governors.

PM Modi meets with chief ministers to discuss G20 preparations

New York: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday and exchanged views on working together during India's G20 Presidency.
Jaishankar, in a Twitter post, said he valued the UN chief's insights on UNSC reform and the Ukraine conflict.
"A warm meeting with UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres. Valued his insights on UNSC reform and the Ukraine conflict. Exchanged views on working together during India's G20 Presidency," Jaishankar tweeted.
The external affairs minister landed in the US on Tuesday for a two-day visit to preside over two high-level ministerial signature events of India's ongoing Presidency of the UN Security Council on December 14 and 15.
Jaishankar on Wednesday chaired the High-Level Ministerial Open Debate on December 14 on the theme of "New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism" [NORMS].
"Chaired the open debate in the Security Council on New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism. Underlined the three challenges inherent in the IGN process: It is the only one in the United Nations that is conducted without any time frame," he tweeted.
"It is also singular in being negotiated without any text. There is no record keeping that allows progress to be recognized and carried forward," he said in another tweet.
On the sidelines, Jaishankar also met Armenia's foreign minister Ararat Mirzoyan, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth Noura AlKaabi and Poland's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Wojciech Gerwel.
The external affairs minister also unveiled Mahatma Gandhi's bust at the premises of the UN Headquarters. The bust, a gift from India to the United Nations, is the first Gandhi sculpture that was installed at the UN Headquarters.
"Honored to join UNSG @antonioguterres and @UN_PGA Csaba Korosi in unveiling the bust of Mahatma Gandhi at the @UN Headquarters. May his presence in these hallowed premises inspire the UN to live up to its founding ideals," Jaishankar tweeted.
The High-Level Briefing on December 15 is on "Global Approach to Counter Terrorism - Challenges and Way Forward". Both these themes have been key priorities for India during its current tenure at the UN Security Council.
In an earlier release, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), said the primary focus of the Open Debate on Reformed Multilateralism is to encourage all Member States to seriously address the pressing need for reforms in the global governance multilateral architecture, including the long-standing reforms of the UN Security Council. —ANI

 External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday and exchanged views on working together during India's G20 Presidency.

Jaishankar Discusses India's G20 Presidency With UN Chief

New Delhi: In its ongoing presidency of the G20, India will focus on foundational literacy and numeracy. The Ministry of Education, which will lead the Education Working Group (EdWG), plans to hold four such meetings during the event followed by a conclave of education ministers of participating countries between January and June 2023, according to a G20 agenda document.
"Ensuring foundational literacy and numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning, making tech-enabled learning more inclusive, qualitative, and collaborative at every level, building capacities, promoting life-long learning in the context of the 'Future of Work', strengthening research and promoting innovation through richer collaboration, are the underlying themes and priority areas that have been finalised for discussion in the EdWG meetings during G20 Presidency," it said, as reported by a leading media outlet.
The deliberation also aims to discuss leading practices across G20 countries adopted to resolve some of the most pressing problems with respect to demographic trends such as -- silver economy, multi-generational workforce, environmental (green economy) and technological (Web 4.0, Industry 3.0).
Some of the meetings will be held in Jodhpur in a hybrid mode while one of the main seminars will be organised in Bhubaneshwar.
Foundational Literacy and Numeracy is a child's ability to read basic texts and solve basic mathematics problems. It is also one of the major themes of India's National Education Policy 2020.
Even though access to schools has grown globally in the last few decades, the present state of foundation learning around the world has not translated into actual learning. It is projected that in 2030 about 43 per cent of children in lower-level income countries will still be learning poor, which means that so many children in these countries will not be able to either read or understand the simple text by age 10, reported a leading media outlet.
"The working group will hold two webinars -- mega trends shaping the future of work; and foundational skills, lifelong learning in the context of future work -- as a precursor to the main seminar. Knowledge papers will be prepared based on the discussions in these webinars," the agenda document stated.
The deliberations over the four meetings will focus on gaining outcomes such as sharing of strategies and measures required to "strengthen human and institutional capacity" for the delivery of "future skills" through skilling, reskilling, upskilling and promoting life-long learning.
"One of key deliverables from the meeting includes outlining a consensual roadmap for G20 nations to enable human-centric, intergenerational, and anticipatory policy response," the document said.
It also aims to achieve sharing of flexible pathways to lifelong-learning that lead to creation of a "future ready" workforce that is gainfully employed, reported News18.
Along with basics, social and emotional skills and well-being lay a strong foundation for further learning and development.
Those who fail to attain basic competencies in foundational literacy and numeracy find it difficult to catch up in higher classes and fall behind creating vital learning gaps and leading to increased chances of children dropping out of the school system altogether.
Thus, there is a need to redesign approaches to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy just like India is doing guided by its National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. —IANS

In its ongoing presidency of the G20, India will focus on foundational literacy and numeracy. 

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