Rio de Janeiro:

G20 leaders met in Rio de Janeiro on Monday for talks on climate change, ongoing wars in Ukraine, Gaza and Lebanon, and more, at a forum that highlighted differences between world powers but also delivered some successes.

Here are five key takeaways from the summit: 

No climate breakthrough

Hopes were high that G20 leaders would jumpstart stalled UN climate talks taking place in Azerbaijan.

In their final declaration, however, they merely recognized the need for “substantially scaling up climate finance from billions to trillions from all sources.”

Crucially, they did not say who would provide the trillions.

They also did not reiterate a commitment made at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai last year for a “just, orderly, and equitable transition” away from fossil fuels.

“They haven’t stepped up to the challenge,” Mick Sheldrick, co-founder of the Global Citizen campaign group said.

Ukraine war

The war in Ukraine dominated discussions at the G20, a day after the United States gave Kyiv the green light to strike Russian territory with American-supplied long-range missiles.

Russia vowed a “response” if hit.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who together with Brazil has been pushing for Kyiv to enter peace talks with Russia, urged the G20 to help “cool” the war.

In their final statement, G20 leaders said they welcomed “all relevant and constructive initiatives that support a comprehensive, just, and durable peace” in Ukraine.

While condemning, as at last year’s G20 summit, the “threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition,” they made no mention of Russian aggression.

Lebanon, Gaza ceasefire calls

The leaders of the G20 — which mixes steadfast Israel allies such as the United States and Argentina with countries like Turkey that are more supportive of Palestinians — called for “comprehensive” ceasefires in both Gaza and Lebanon.

They said the Gaza ceasefire should be in line with a US-proposed UN resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in the territory in return for the release of all hostages by Hamas.

It also called for a Lebanon ceasefire “that enables citizens to return safely to their homes on both sides of the Blue Line” that separates Lebanese and Israeli armed forces.

Tax the super-rich

The G20 endorsed the idea of cooperating to make sure “ultra-high-net-worth individuals are effectively taxed,” delivering a victory to summit host Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

It said though that such cooperation should be “with full respect to tax sovereignty” and involve “debates around tax principles” as well as coming up with anti-avoidance mechanisms.

An economist specializing in inequalities who was tapped by the Brazilian G20 presidency to write a report on the issue, Gabriel Zucman, hailed the “historic decision.”

Alliance against hunger

One of the issues dearest to President Lula was forging a global alliance against hunger, and he received an early success by launching that initiative at the start of the summit, getting 82 countries to sign on.

The alliance aims to unite international efforts to provide financing in the campaign against hunger, and to replicate programs that have proved successful in some countries.

The goal is to reach half a billion people by the end of the decade, reducing what Lula — who grew up in poverty — has called a preventable “scourge that shames humanity.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Rio de Janeiro:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday (local time) held a bilateral meeting with his Italian counterpart, Giorgia Meloni, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil.

PM Modi stated that their discussions focused on strengthening ties in defence, security, trade, and technology. He remarked, “India-Italy friendship can greatly contribute to a better planet.”

“Glad to have met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit. Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, security, trade, and technology. We also discussed ways to boost cooperation in culture, education, and other such areas. India-Italy friendship can greatly contribute to a better planet,” PM Modi shared on social media platform X.

Glad to have met Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro G20 Summit. Our talks centred around deepening ties in defence, security, trade and technology. We also talked about how to boost cooperation in culture, education and other such areas.… pic.twitter.com/BOUbBMeEov

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2024

PM Modi also held a bilateral meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store during the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.

Earlier, PM Modi met with leaders from Indonesia and Portugal on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil.

In his discussions, PM Modi emphasised strengthening ties with both nations in areas such as commerce and defence.

The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, shared on X that PM Modi assured Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto of expanding the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

“India-Indonesia: Commemorating 75 years of warm and friendly ties! PM Narendra Modi met President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit. PM congratulated President Prabowo and assured him of expanding the India-Indonesia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, both in existing domains and by exploring newer areas,” Jaiswal wrote on X.

????????-????????| Commemorating 75 years of warm and friendly ties!

PM @narendramodi met President Prabowo Subianto @prabowo of Indonesia on the sidelines of the #G20Brazil Summit.

PM congratulated President Prabowo and assured him of ????????’s full support.

Both leaders discussed ways to… pic.twitter.com/9aijc3Wa9P

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) November 18, 2024

Additionally, PM Modi met with Spanish President Pedro Sanchez on the sidelines of the G20 Summit.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emplanes for a visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (November 16, 2024) said he is looking forward to “meaningful” discussions at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil that built upon its agenda for the grouping on India’s presidency of the bloc last year.

PM Modi made the comments in a statement ahead of his five day visit to Nigeria, Brazil and Guyana. The Prime Minister’s first destination will be Nigeria from where he will travel to Brazil.

“In Brazil, I will attend the 19th G20 Summit as a troika member. Last year, India’s successful presidency elevated the G20 to people’s G-0 and mainstreamed the priorities of the Global South into its agenda,” the Prime Minister said.

Mr. Modi, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden will be among the leaders to attend the summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19. India is part of the G20 troika along with Brazil and South Africa.

“This year, Brazil has built upon India’s legacy. I look forward to meaningful discussions in keeping with our vision of ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’. I will also use the opportunity to exchange views on furthering bilateral cooperation with several other leaders,” the Prime Minister said.

Induction of the 55-nation African Union as a permanent member of the G20 and managing to produce a leaders’ declaration overcoming deep divisions over the Ukraine conflict were seen as major milestones of India’s presidency of the G20 last year.

On his trip to Nigeria, Mr. Modi said it will be an opportunity to “build upon our strategic partnership that is based on shared belief in democracy and pluralism”. The Prime Minister is travelling to the country on a two-day visit from November 16-17 at the invitation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This will be my first visit to Nigeria, which is our close partner in the West African region,” Mr. Modi said. “I am also eagerly looking forward to meeting the Indian community and friends from Nigeria who have sent me warm welcome messages in Hindi,” he said.

In the third and final leg of his trip, Mr. Modi will visit Guyana from November 19 to 21 at the invitation of President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. It will be the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Guyana in more than 50 years. “We will exchange views on giving strategic direction to our unique relationship, which is based on shared heritage, culture and values,” Mr. Modi said.

“I will also pay my respects to one of the oldest Indian diaspora, who migrated more than 185 years ago, and engage a fellow democracy, as I address their Parliament,” he added.