Modi warns of ‘Crisis Of Confidence’ and calls on African Union to join

“The world is experiencing a massive crisis of confidence, the war has deepened this lack of trust, and just as we are able to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic, we are also able to overcome this crisis of mutual trust,” Modi said.

The G20 summit began as divisions prevail among member states over Ukraine, amid questions about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s absence from the summit.

The summit will see the signing of a number of important agreements, according to officials familiar with the matter.

A number of disagreements hang over the atmosphere of the G20 summit (Getty Images)

Draft and agreements

A draft seen by Reuters of the declaration from the G20 summit said the African Union would become a permanent member of the group at the G20 summit in New Delhi.

The African Union, which includes 55 member states, will receive the same status as the European Union, the only regional bloc with full membership in the G<>, and the EU’s current status of an “invited international organization”.

“We welcome the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, and we believe that the inclusion of the African Union in the Group will contribute significantly to addressing the global challenges of our time,” the draft declaration said.

Referring to the expected results of the G20 summit, US Deputy National Security Adviser John Viner told reporters that “a preliminary agreement between the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the European Union and other G20 partners to explore (a project) for sea and rail transport that will allow trade, energy and data to flow from India through the Middle East to Europe.”

A U.S. official also announced that the G20 summit would see the signing of an agreement on the possible implementation of a major sea and rail transport project aimed at connecting India to Europe via the Middle East.

US President Joe Biden (right) and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend the opening of the G20 summit (Getty Images)

Efforts & Projects

According to other sources, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who arrived in New Delhi in the morning, is expected to sign a preliminary agreement with the United States, the UAE, the European Union and other G20 partners regarding the possible implementation of this major transport project.

According to Viner, this project “came as a result of quiet, bilateral diplomatic efforts and also in a multilateral framework.”

He said the project had “great potential, but we don’t know how long it will take” to crystallize.

Agreement to discuss the bill could be one of the concrete outcomes of the G20 summit, as leaders are divided over Russia’s war on Ukraine and face a dilemma over agreeing to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Western countries that have strongly backed Ukraine and imposed massive sanctions on Russia are reportedly facing a coalition of China and Russia in the G20 negotiations.

Key issues to be discussed at the summit include climate change and World Bank reform.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is representing President Xi Jinping at the summit and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is representing President Vladimir Putin.

G9 summit to be held on September 10-<> in the Indian capital (Getty Images)

Summit and disagreements

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a joint command to combat the climate crisis, global conflicts and poverty.

Arriving in New Delhi, Guterres said: “If we were truly a global family, today we are like a dysfunctional family.”

“Divisions are increasing, tensions are flaring up and trust is eroding, all of which together raise the specter of fragmentation and eventual confrontation,” he said.

In addition, he said, the G80 is responsible for <> percent of global emissions, and that “half-measures will not prevent a total collapse in terms of climate.”

Guterres said the global financial architecture was “outdated, dysfunctional and unfair” and required structural reform.

The summit is scheduled to be held on September 9 and 10, and the group includes 19 countries and the European Union, representing the world’s largest economies and contributing to more than 85% of its total output and 75% of its trade.