New Delhi, September 9 – Against the backdrop of deep divisions stemming from the Ukraine conflict, Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a call to world leaders on Saturday, urging them to transform the prevailing global trust deficit into mutual confidence and to seek innovative solutions to enduring challenges.
In his inaugural address at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Modi radiated optimism, drawing parallels between the triumph over the COVID-19 pandemic and the possibility of overcoming the trust deficit caused by ongoing wars.
Modi stated, “It is imperative that we unite for the betterment of the global community,” as he addressed the ‘One Earth’ session of the G20 Leaders Summit. This gathering featured luminaries such as US President Joe Biden, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, among others.
He acknowledged, “In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the world confronted a novel challenge in the form of a trust deficit, which has regrettably been exacerbated by ongoing conflicts.” He added, “However, we must bear in mind that just as we successfully combated the COVID-19 pandemic, we can also overcome the challenges posed by this trust deficit. Today, as the President of the G20, India extends an invitation to the entire world to convert this global trust deficit into a bond of trust and confidence.”
Modi emphasized the current need for fresh solutions to age-old problems, championing a human-centric approach to address global responsibilities.
Highlighting India’s inclusive approach, he remarked that the G20 presidency in India had transformed into a people’s initiative, with over 200 events held in more than 60 cities across the country.
The Prime Minister stated, “For all the challenges we face, from the global economic turmoil to the North-South disparities, from food and fuel management to counterterrorism and cybersecurity, and from healthcare to energy and water security, we must work together to develop concrete solutions.”
Modi also stressed that India’s G20 presidency had become a symbol of inclusivity, resonating both within and beyond the country’s borders. He noted, “It has evolved into a people’s G20 in India, with millions of Indians participating, and over 200 meetings taking place in more than 60 cities.”
The G20 member countries collectively account for 85 percent of the world’s economic output and 75 percent of global trade. With two-thirds of the world’s population residing in these countries, Modi has consistently emphasized the importance of representing the voices of the Global South within the G20 framework.
