Modi highlights poverty alleviation efforts at G20 Summit, engages with Biden on sidelines

Rio de Janeiro: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday highlighted India’s progress in poverty alleviation, stating, "Over the last 10 years, we have lifted 250 million people out of poverty," during his address at the G20 session on "Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty" in Rio de Janeiro. He also spoke about India's extensive welfare efforts, noting that "over 800 million people are being given food grains free of cost" and "550 million people are benefiting from the world’s biggest health insurance scheme." Additionally, he mentioned the support being provided to 60 million senior citizens.

The Prime Minister praised the people-centric decisions taken at the New Delhi Summit, noting, "The people-centric decisions taken at the G20 Summit in New Delhi have been taken forward during Brazil’s Presidency." He also underscored the continuing relevance of the summit's theme, "One Earth One Family One Future," affirming that it remains just as important this year as it was last year.

Modi expressed India’s full support for Brazil’s "Global Alliance against hunger and poverty," describing it as a vital step towards implementing the Deccan High-Level Principles for Food Security, which were adopted at the New Delhi Summit.

The G20 summit is also expected to focus on several critical global issues, including climate change, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the ongoing situation in Gaza.

Modi and Biden meet briefly at the G20 Summit
On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi had a brief interaction with US President Joe Biden, marking their first exchange following the US presidential election. Modi shared a photo of the meeting on 'X,' stating, “Always a delight to meet him,” as the two leaders were seen engaged in conversation and holding hands.

Details of their conversation remain unclear, and there is no confirmation of a formal bilateral meeting between the two leaders. This brief encounter may be their last one-on-one meeting before Biden’s presidency transitions to Republican leader Donald Trump, following Trump’s victory in the November 5 US presidential election.