With bright murals, graffiti and painted walls, New Delhi has pulled out all the stops to ensure a smooth G20 Summit that will host world leaders on September 9 and 10.
The G20 Summit being held in New Delhi under India’s Presidency will draw the participation of the top leaders.
The G20, or the Group of Twenty, comprises 19 countries- Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, United Kingdom, the United States– and the European Union.
During the Summit, the national capital will play host to US President Joe Biden, Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, among others.
Notably, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be taking part in the weekend Summit. China, however, will be represented at the Summit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will represent Russia.
The authorities have beautified roads, footpaths, roundabouts, markets, flyovers, and public areas with over 1 lakh potted plants.
On the security front, the Delhi Police has heightened security across the city.
Delhi Police continued its security checks on September 8 morning. Zenon, Ming, Zone, Zozo and Zinger are among six NSG dog squad members with their handlers as well as bomb disposal units kept on checking inside and outside the periphery of Rajghat from the beginning of the day on September 7 till late night on different occasions to ensure safe and secure event.
These specially trained security members of NSG’s dog squad are among their other colleagues who are also strategically deployed at India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) and the Pusa campus– other venues where the Summit and related events are scheduled.
Curbs on traffic regulations have also come into force in the national capital.
The New Delhi district has been designated as Controlled Zone-I from September 8 5 am, till September 10 11:59 pm because of the Summit.
Delhi Traffic Police on September 8 morning said that the movement of buses into the city from the Rajokari border has been stopped with effect from September 8 till September 10.
Online delivery services, except for medicines, have been barred in the area where the G20 summit venue and hotels for delegates are located.
According to the gazette notification issued by the Delhi Government on September 5, all types of goods vehicles, commercial vehicles, interstate buses and local city buses have been stopped from operating on Mathura Road (beyond Ashram Chowk), Bhairon Road, Purana Quila Road and inside Pragati Maidan Tunnel from 00:00 hours on the intervening night of September 7 and 8 to 23:59 hours on September 10.
However, interstate buses are being allowed to enter from other borders of Delhi. The movement of buses into Delhi from the Rajokari border has also been stopped.
A G20 Leaders’ Declaration will be adopted at the end of the G20 Summit, stating the leader’s commitment to the priorities discussed and agreed upon during the respective ministerial and working groups. India assumed the G20 presidency last year in November, and the next presidency of the G20 will be handed over to Brazil next year, followed by South Africa in 2025.
West Bengal Governor performs Ganga aarti for G20 Summit success
As India hosts the G20 Summit, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose performed Ganga aarti in Kolkata’s Babughat on September 8 and prayed for its success.
While speaking to ANI, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose said, “India has set out on its mission to showcase the best of India to the whole world at the G20. This aarti was performed to pray for the success of the G20, the success of India, and the success of West Bengal.”
(with inputs from ANI)
