Summary

  • G20 president India says a consensus has been reached on the joint declaration

  • The agreement talks about human suffering in Ukraine, but does not directly condemn Russia

  • World leaders including Joe Biden, Rishi Sunak and Emmanuel Macron are at the Delhi summit

  • Earlier in the day, the African Union was invited to join as a permanent member of the G20

  • Two big names - Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping - aren’t at the summit, with representatives attending on their behalf

  • The leaders are discussing issues including climate change, food security and debt restructuring for poorer countries

  • Indian PM Narendra Modi hopes a successful summit will boost the image he wants of India as a global powerhouse ahead of general elections next year

  1. Thanks for joining uspublished at 16:58 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    We're ending our live coverage now, but thanks for joining us as we reported on everything that happened at an eventful first day of the G20 summit. Do join us for the second day of the summit tomorrow.

    This page was brought to you by teams in Delhi and London, including Cherylann Mollan, Meryl Sebastian, Zoya Mateen, Nikhila Henry, Antariksh Jain, Devang Shah, Nikita Mandhani, Bimal Thankachan, Anshul Verma, Soutik Biswas, Samira Hussain, Yogita Limaye, Chris Mason, Jacky Martens, Archana Shukla, Anbarasan Ethirajan and Navin Singh Khadka. It was edited by Geeta Pandey, Sharanya Hrishikesh and Vikas Pandey.

  2. Declaration 'nothing to be proud of', says Ukrainepublished at 15:47 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Paul Adams
    Diplomatic correspondent, in Ukraine

    Ukraine is clearly disappointed at the G20’s wording on the war.

    The foreign ministry spokesman, Oleg Nikolenko, said the G20 had “nothing to be proud of", while thanking “those who tried to include strong wording in the text".

    And in a post on Facebook, he quoted the language of the declaration, complete with a teacher’s corrections in red.

    Obviously, these included references to Russia - conspicuously absent from the text agreed in Delhi - and replacement of the neutral term “war in Ukraine” with the rather more pointed “war against Ukraine".

    It’s hard for Kyiv to see the absence of any reference to Russian “aggression” (included in the last declaration agreed in November) as anything but a sign that its Western backers are losing their argument with the “global South” over how to characterise the war.

  3. A day filled with surprisespublished at 14:59 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    World leaders attend the G20 Summit 2023, hosted by India with the main theme of 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'Image source, Getty Images

    It was widely expected to be a curtain-raiser for an action-packed final day of the summit. Instead, day one sprang a huge surprise when G20 president India announced that a consensus had been reached on the joint declaration.

    The paragraphs on the Ukraine war have been the most scrutinised in the 34-page document - and, as we wrote earlier, the words have been carefully chosen to avoid antagonising both the West and Russia. We’ll no doubt hear more later about the negotiations that went on behind the scenes to get the two sides to sign on. One thing is clear: the language is not as strong when compared with last year's Bali declaration, but even those opposed to the war seem comfortable with it. For now.

    There were other big developments too, like the historic moment when the African Union took its seat at the G20 table - a win for developing nations.

    The leaders will now head for a dinner hosted by Indian President Droupadi Murmu, the last scheduled event of the day. And tomorrow, they’ll attend a final session at the Bharat Mandapam, before India formally hands over the G20 presidency to Brazil.

  4. Some other key takeawayspublished at 14:42 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    While we've been busy focusing on the contents of the joint declaration, a few other key announcements were made on day one of the G20 summit. Take a look:

    • Biofuel alliance: The grouping with India, US and Brazil as its founding members is aimed at boosting the use of cleaner fuels. Prime Minister Modi said the deal would accelerate efforts to meet zero emission targets by facilitating trade in biofuels derived from sources including plant and animal waste. "India invites all of you to join this initiative," he said.

    Biofuels alliance at G20
    • A framework to regulate crypto assets: Discussions are underway on a global framework to regulate crypto assets, India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said. She did not announce any specific deal but said that there was a "growing global consensus" regarding crypto assets, and the G20 presidency will support the efforts of the IMF and Financial Stability Board (FSB) - an international organisation that monitors and makes recommendations about the global financial system - in their work.

    • On climate: The G20 members have announced that they have reached a 100% consensus to “pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies".
  5. Key officials react to G20 declarationpublished at 14:32 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Here's how other key officials have reacted to the joint declaration:

    • World Bank President Ajay Banga said "PM Modi and his team have worked very hard to find consensus".
    • French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the declaration was "a great success for India's G20 presidency".
    • The Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the text "acceptable for everybody" and "a very good thing for the international community". The country is an invitee at the summit.
  6. G20's 'give and take' on climatepublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Navin Singh Khadka
    Environment correspondent, BBC World Service

    The ministerial-level meetings of the G20 summit had no consensus on key climate issues even until earlier this week. But now there is a declaration with - what officials are calling - a "100% consensus".

    And the “give and take” on climate agenda is evident in the declaration.

    It says G20 nations will “pursue and encourage efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally through existing targets and policies”.

    Developing countries had earlier resisted increasing renewable energy targets along with two other proposals - phasing down fossil-fuels and reducing greenhouse gas emissions - from developed nations.

    But now, for greenhouse gas emissions peaking (a point after which emissions will need to drop), developing nations have been able to buy time.

    The declaration says: "Timeframes for peaking may be shaped by sustainable development, poverty eradication needs, equity, and in line with different national circumstances – in a clear reference to developing countries’ interest".

    While the two camps might have kept each other happy for now, a major stocktaking by the UN on Friday said the progress report on global climate action was bad.

    The G20 accounts for more than 75% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions.

  7. Declaration a milestone for India’s G20 chairmanship - USpublished at 14:13 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    White House National Security Adviser Jake SullivanImage source, Getty Images

    US national security adviser Jake Sullivan has called the Delhi joint declaration a “significant milestone for India’s chairmanship and a vote of confidence that the G20 can come together to address a pressing range of issues”.

    Sullivan said the statement had several "consequential" paragraphs on the war in Ukraine. "And from our perspective, it does a very good job of standing up for the principle that states cannot use force to seek territorial acquisition.”

  8. WATCH: Biden announces 'historic' rail, shipping dealpublished at 14:08 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    US President Joe Biden has described as "historic" a new economic corridor that aims to link India with the Middle East and Europe. Here's what he said while announcing the formation of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor:

    Media caption,

    Joe Biden announces creation of India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor

  9. A 'historic' new railways and port corridor dealpublished at 13:57 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    The US, India and Gulf countries have announced a “historic” new railways and port corridor to link the regions.

    Analysts see this announcement on the sidelines of the G20 as a counter to China’s Belt and Road initiative that has similar goals.

    President Biden described the proposed network as a “game-changing regional investment”.

    The corridor aims at linking countries in the Middle East by rail and connect them to India by port.

    By reducing shipping time, costs and fuel consumption, this initiative would greatly enhance the transportation of energy resources and trade from the Gulf countries to Europe.

  10. India's opposition left out of summitpublished at 13:50 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    In India, a political controversy has erupted after several opposition leaders were not invited to a dinner being hosted by President Droupadi Murmu later today. Heads of several opposition parties, including the Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, did not get their invitations.

    Senior Congress leader and chief minister of Chhattisgarh state, Bhupesh Baghel, called the move "an attack on India's democracy".

    Party MP Rahul Gandhi also criticised the government for allegedly "hiding poor people and animals" after authorities removed shanties and stray dogs from Delhi neighbourhoods ahead of the summit.

    "There is no need to hide India’s reality from our guests," Gandhi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

  11. Sunak calls declaration 'good and strong outcome'published at 13:30 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom speaks to the media at the G20 Leaders' Summit on September 9, 2023 in DelhiImage source, Getty Images

    Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said that the Delhi joint declaration has "very strong language" about the war in Ukraine, which he called "illegal". He also said that Russia was "completely isolated" at the summit.

    “What you’ll see in the communique is strong language, highlighting the impact of the war on food prices and food security," Sunak said.

    The declaration calls on Russia "to re-enter the Black Sea grain initiative" to allow exports of Ukrainian grains which will "help feed millions of the most vulnerable people", he added.

    The communique also recognises the principles of the UN Charter respecting territorial integrity, he said and described it as a "good and strong outcome".

  12. G20 calls for full implementation of Ukraine grain dealpublished at 13:23 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    In July, Russia suspended a deal that allowed exports of Ukrainian grains to international markets.

    The move sparked a price rise in many countries. The Delhi declaration calls for the deal's "full, timely and effective implementation to ensure the immediate and unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuffs, and fertilizers/inputs from the Russian Federation and Ukraine".

    However, it's clear that there has been no agreement yet within the G20 framework to revive the deal.

    But there is still one more day to go with both Turkey - which brokered the deal along with the UN - and Russia present at the summit.

  13. Delhi situation different from Bali - minister responds to BBCpublished at 13:11 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar attends a press briefing on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi on September 9, 2023Image source, Getty Images

    The section on the Ukraine war in the joint declaration responds to the concerns of today, Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said.

    He was responding to a question from the BBC's Samira Hussain who asked if the language used in Delhi about Ukraine had been watered down when compared to last year's Bali declaration in order to get Russia to sign on.

    "I would only say Bali was Bali and New Delhi is New Delhi," the minister responded. "Bali was a year ago, the situation was different. Many things have happened since then."

    Jaishankar said the geopolitical segment of the declaration had eight paragraphs of which seven focused on the Ukraine issue.

    "Many of them highlight problems which are of great contemporary significance, including concerns over unimpeded deliveries of grain, foodstuff and fertilizers and the issues of attacks on the infrastructure," the minister said.

  14. Language in Delhi declaration not as strong as Balipublished at 12:56 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Vikas Pandey
    Reporting from G20

    A close reading of the Delhi declaration reveals that the language on the war in Ukraine is not as strong in its condemnation of Russia as it was in the Bali declaration last year.

    In Bali, the members reiterated their national positions of "deploring in the strongest terms the aggression by the Russian Federation against Ukraine". But it noted that there were other views and different assessments of the situation and sanctions.

    The Delhi declaration does not directly criticise Russia for the war. But it does talk about "the human suffering and negative added impacts of the war in Ukraine with regard to global food and energy security". It also notes that "there were different views and assessments of the situation".

    This year's declaration also calls on states to "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition", which could be seen as directed at Russia.

  15. What Indian ministers are sayingpublished at 12:31 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    We're still bringing you analysis of the declaration, but first, a look at what key Indian ministers are saying at their press conference.

    Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said that "far-reaching" and consequential decisions have been agreed on at the summit today. He added that the joint declaration focused on promoting "strong, balanced and inclusive growth".

    Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who spoke after him, said that India was determined to ensure that no one was left behind "in our pursuit of global solutions" and that those from the Global South were an integral part of the decision-making process.

    "The Indian presidency has crafted solutions that resonate with each member, offering a shared path forward for all," she added.

  16. Use or threat of nuclear weapons inadmissible - G20published at 12:23 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Vikas Pandey
    Reporting from Delhi

    Staying with the Ukraine lines in the joint declaration...

    The agreement urges all nations to follow the UN Charter and "refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state".

    The lines again are open to interpretation as they do not mention any country.

    But a line further adds that "the use or threat of use of nuclear weapons is inadmissible". Experts say this can be seen as an indirect reference to Russia.

  17. When Biden took a selfiepublished at 12:12 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    US President Joe Biden, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her daughter, Saima Wazed, share a light moment as they pose for a selfie at the G20 summit.

    Even world leaders can't resist a good selfie, we guess!

    G20Image source, Bangladesh High Commission
    G20Image source, Bangladesh High Commission
    Image caption,

    (Left) Joe Biden, (Centre) Saima Wazed, (Right) Sheikh Hasina

  18. What's in the G20 joint declaration?published at 12:04 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Vikas Pandey
    Reporting from G20

    The text of the joint declaration has been released. We will break it down for you.

    Let's get into the most contentious part first. The paragraph on the war in Ukraine has clues on how the consensus was reached.

    "We note with deep concern the immense human suffering and the adverse impact of wars and conflicts around the world," says the first line.

    It doesn't blame Russia for the war. Instead, it notes the human suffering caused by the war. Now that's language that both Moscow and the West can not only agree on but also interpret in a way that suits their respective stands.

    Stay with us as we bring you the key takeaways from the declaration.

  19. What's behind the unexpected announcement?published at 11:47 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    Vikas Pandey
    Reporting from G20

    Almost every journalist at the G20 media centre, including me, didn't think a joint declaration was possible, at least not until tomorrow.

    But the sudden announcement has taken us all by surprise.

    Former diplomats and experts I spoke to are saying that India's hand was forced after many Western news agencies started reporting that a consensus had been reached.

    A former Indian diplomat said the "leaks" most likely came from Western nations.

  20. Watch: Modi makes the big announcementpublished at 11:43 British Summer Time 9 September 2023

    This is the moment that Indian PM Narendra Modi announced that a consensus on the G20 joint declaration had been arrived at.

    Media caption,

    PM Modi announces consensus reached on G20 declaration