By Prarthana Mitra
Global leaders around the world are gearing up for the tenth upcoming G20 summit to be held on November 30. The Summit has traditionally been the apex forum for coordination on important global issues. Here are a few key meetings to watch out for.
Saudi Arabia-Russia
While Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman arrived in Argentina late Tuesday amid Khashoggi murder furore, Kremlin informed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss the controversial killing of the US-based journalist with him during the summit.
US-Russia
US President Donald Trump is also expected to discuss security and regional issues with Putin, according to the White House. Other reports say he may decline to meet Vladimir Putin, on account of the recent conflict in Ukraine.
US-China
Most importantly, however, the summit comes at a moment of global economic tumult, owing primarily to the ongoing trade war between the US and China. Relations between the two most powerful trading nations have to be ironed out by the end of the summit. According to news reports, nearly Nearly 150 US business enterprises have urged the White House to resolve the ongoing trade dispute during an expected meeting between the two countries’ leaders.
US-India-Japan
A month after the Quad meeting, Trump has announced to hold trilateral meetings with India and Japan at the summit.
India-China
To make matters in the Asia-Pacific more complicated, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet Chinese Premier Xi Jinping on the sidelines, ticking off their fourth meeting of the year.
Modi’s tentative itinerary
Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale briefed the media, saying, At the tenth anniversary of the G20, its our expectation that leaders will reflect on what has been achieved in past 10 years and what could be done in next 10 years. Talking points will include volatility of crude oil prices, digital revolution, reformation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and exploration of bilateral trading partners besides the US.
According to Gokhale, Modi is scheduled for 25 diplomatic engagements at his 5th G20 summit, including meetings with Argentinian President Mauricio Macri, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and the prime ministers of Spain, Jamaica, the Netherlands. He will also meet with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the president of the European Union and European Council. A bilateral meeting between Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron may also be on the cards.
The PM has reportedly stressed on the need to strengthen international cooperation and enhance coordinated action against fugitive economic offenders and financing of terrorism.
The theme for this chapter of the summit is building consensus for fair and sustainable development by “putting people first” and “embracing opportunity.”
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius