Ambassadors from G20 nations blew conch shells (shankh) on Saturday at the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to welcome India's presidency of the global power bloc. In a video shared by news agency ANI, they can be seen standing on stage with conch shells in their hands and blowing them together.
Also read: G20 members briefed on priorities for India’s presidency
The heads of over 40 international missions and organisations visited the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Saturday, where the Indian government held a briefing for envoys of G20 nations ahead of Delhi assuming presidency of the global bloc on December 1.
"They (the participants) were given detailed briefings by G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant and Chief G20 co-ordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the substantive, operational and logistical aspects of various G20 interactions during India’s Presidency," the government said.
{{/usCountry}}"They (the participants) were given detailed briefings by G20 sherpa Amitabh Kant and Chief G20 co-ordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla on the substantive, operational and logistical aspects of various G20 interactions during India’s Presidency," the government said.
{{/usCountry}}Conversations at the briefing revolved around areas like public digital goods and digital infrastructure; climate action, finance and technological collaborations; and clean, sustainable and inclusive energy sources. Talks also touched upon women-led development and accelerated progress on sustainable development goals.
After the briefing, the delegates took part in a yoga session and a beach-cleaning activity. "(the beach-cleaning) symbolises our pro-planet and sustainable lifestyles, and 'One Earth' approach," the government said
On November 8, prime minister Narendra Modi had unveiled a logo, theme and website for India's presidency of the G20. The logo - created with the four colors of the national flag - shows the Earth sitting on top of a lotus; the seven petals signify the seven seas and the coming together of seven continents.
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The theme is - 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family, One Future'.
On Sunday, addressing his monthly radio program 'Mann Ki Baat', the prime minister said assuming the presidency is a 'huge opportunity for India'. "People from across the country have written to me about how proud they are that India has got the G20 presidency..."
Apart from India the G20, or Group of 20, comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the European Union.