US think tank says G20 was "like a flying saucer, another landmark landing like on moon" :::: But Opposition talks about Akbar, 'US media access'

PM Modi delivers useful, if not spectacular, results at G20: US think tank

In a statement, the Atlantic Council said that in August, India had successfully landed its Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the moon.  "This weekend, at a futuristic convention center, in New Delhi that looks like a flying saucer, another landmark landing was achieved."
The G20 nations approved an 83-paragraph leaders consensus covering issues ranging from plastic pollution to terrorism. As the summit came to an end, it was clear that India’s objectives were not derailed, and three key themes emerged: consensus, inclusiveness, solutions.  

As Russia’s war in Ukraine loomed large over India’s presidency dividing G20 countries, it was unclear as to how the ongoing invasion would be addressed and whether it would derail the agreement of a final communique. However, after 300 bilateral meetings, 200 hours of negotiations, and 15 drafts, Modi and his foreign office team brought a consensus to the table on the Russia-Ukraine paragraphs in the final G20 communique. Russia has applauded the final draft. 

The Washington D.C.-based Atlantic Council, a non-partisan organisation that galvanises US leadership and engagement in the world in partnership with allies shaping solutions to global challenges, said theG20 Summit, even without the Chinese and Russian Presidents, has delivered practically everything Modi had wanted.

Hailing Modi's diplomatic skills aided by his foreign office team secured support for climate financing to assist developing countries (but no hard targets except extending the 2010 pledges by developed countries to transfer $100 billion a year to developing countries by 2025). 

The G20 also took on reforms to the multilateral development banks (MDB) to include climate financing in their core missions (no capital increases now but optimising the MDB balance sheets so they can lend $200 billion more over the next decade) and support for the improvement of the Common Framework for Debt Treatment to facilitate the restructuring of low-income countries’ debt.

Hung Tran, a former deputy director of the IMF and a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Geo Economics Center, said the group adopted several concrete and potentially helpful initiatives such as mapping the global value chain to help countries identify risks, the digitalisation of trade documents to expedite trade transactions, and the development of public digital infrastructures.

Also notable is the launch of an India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor connected by railways and ports—in direct competition with China’s Belt and Road Initiative, he said in a statement. Overall, the outcomes of the G20 Summit will bolster India’s claim to be the voice of the Global South -- being able to articulate the demands of developing countries and to engage in negotiations with developed countries to produce useful, if not spectacular, results.

This is a good template for Brazil to take up the G20 presidency in 2024 and South Africa in 2025, Trang said. 

Meanwhile, Opposition leaders Kapil Sibal and Jairam Ramesh also hit headlines. A set of two booklets that traces India's history back to 6,000 BCE. Two booklets – Bharat, The Mother of Democracy and Elections in India  was handed over to the dignitaries at the G20 summit.

"To create a harmonious society, he (Akbar) propounded a new syncretic religion known as 'Din-i-llahi' or Divine Faith. He also established the 'Ibadat Khana (House of Worship)' where wise men from different sects met and debated. A group of nine wise people, known as Navaratna, served as his counsellors, while implementing his pro-people schemes," the booklet said.

Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal said on X, "G20 Magazine: Government hails Mughal emperor Akbar as proponent of peace and democracy! One face: For the world another: For India that is Bharat! Please inform us about the real mann ki baat!"  

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh taken a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over US President Joe Biden's press briefing during his brief visit to Vietnam post his tour to India.

Biden talked about about respecting human rights, role of civil society and free press. 

“Mr Modi saying to Mr Biden — “Na Press Conference karunga, Na karne doonga (won't hold a press conference, won't let you hold one) has had no impact,” the Congress MP wrote on X. 

Meghalaya CM not in hurry to oppose UCC ::::::: Forget snub; Central Govt 'had offered' the services of Air India One for Canada PM Justin Trudeau's return 

"We cannot comment on what is there in the Uniform Civil Code without seeing the Bill,” says NPP leader and Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma

And he sounds practical and reasonable. Meghalaya Chief Minister Sangma, son of Late P A Sangma, says, -- “What if in the UCC, it says that the lineage should be from the mother and that the entire country should follow the matrilineal system." 

"If it says that the lineage will be from the mother, I think Meghalaya will be the first to accept it,” he said. Traditionally three dominant tribes in the state, Khasis, Jaintians and Garos follow Matrilineal system. Conrad himself is a Garo.

Forget snub; Central Govt 'had offered' the services of Air India One for Canada PM Justin Trudeau's return 

The Govt of India had offered the services of Air India One for Justin Trudeau's return on Monday. 

Air India One is a two-plane fleet of Boeing 777s used only by India's president, vice-president and prime minister for their international trips.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his delegation have finally taken off after being stranded in India for over 36 hours after the G20 Summit. Trudeau and his team were stranded due to a technical problem with the Canadian PM's aircraft.

Canada, however, declined the offer and responded to the Indian government approximately six hours after the proposal was made, expressing their preference to wait for their own plane, reports 'India Today. 

Justin Trudeau, who arrived in Delhi on September 8, was supposed to fly back home two days later on Sunday. However, a last-minute technical snag in his Airbus plane forced the Canadian PM and his delegation to prolong their stay in the city.

Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar was at the airport to see the Canadian PM off and thanked him for attending the G20 Summit.

Trudeau's aircraft took off at around 1310 hrs (1:10 pm IST).

"On behalf of PM Narendra Modi Ji and my colleagues in government, I was at the airport today to thank Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada for his presence at the G20 Summit and wished him and his entourage a safe trip back home," the minister wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

According to a previous CBC News report, the Canadian Air Force's CC-150 Polaris plane, which was on its way to pick up Trudeau, was diverted to London. No reason was given for the unscheduled diversion.

Indian PM conveys to Canadian counterpart Trudeau strong concerns over anti-India activities in that country 

In their meeting, Modi conveyed ".....our strong concerns about continuing anti-India activities of extremist elements in Canada. They are promoting secessionism and inciting violence against Indian diplomats, damaging diplomatic premises, and threatening the Indian community in Canada and their places of worship".  

Asked about India's concerns over the increasing activities of the Khalistani elements in Canada, Trudeau said at a press conference that his country will always defend freedom of peaceful protest but at the same time asserted that it will always prevent violence and push back against hatred. 

"Canada will always defend freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, and freedom of peaceful protest and it is extremely important to us," he said. 

"....  it is important to remember that the actions of the few do not represent the entire community or Canada," Trudeau said. 

The Canadian prime minister said India is an important partner of Canada in a range of sectors.