US President Joe Biden is set to embark on a visit to India from September 7 to 10 to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit, as announced by the White House on Tuesday.
During this period, President Biden will engage with other world leaders to address a range of pressing global issues, with a particular focus on the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
The White House statement highlights President Biden's intention to commend Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership of the G20.
This summit, to be held in New Delhi on September 9 and 10, is anticipated to be a significant gathering of global leaders, reflecting India's G20 Presidency that commenced on December 1, 2022.
Agenda and Priorities
The discussions between President Biden and his G20 counterparts are expected to cover various collaborative efforts aimed at tackling global challenges.
These efforts encompass critical areas such as the transition to clean energy, combating climate change, and addressing the economic and social impacts of the conflict in Ukraine initiated by Russia's actions.
Strengthening Multilateral Development Efforts
"President Biden and G20 partners will discuss a range of joint efforts to tackle global issues, including on the clean energy transition and combatting climate change, mitigating the economic and social impacts of Putin's war in Ukraine," White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.
"Increasing the capacity of multilateral development banks, including the World Bank, to better fight poverty, including by addressing global challenges," she said in a statement.
Renewal of Commitment and Future Hosting
During his time in New Delhi, President Biden is set to express his appreciation for Prime Minister Modi's leadership within the G20. Furthermore, the US reaffirms its commitment to the G20 as the primary platform for international economic cooperation.
The United States will further extend its involvement by hosting the G20 summit in 2026.
White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan underscores that the sideline discussions held during the summit will revolve around critical issues such as climate change, Russia's actions in Ukraine, and other pertinent global challenges.
The G20: A Forum for Global Economic Cooperation
The Group of 20 (G20) serves as an intergovernmental forum encompassing major economies from both developed and developing nations.
Representing a significant portion of the world's economic and demographic landscape, the G20's membership includes influential countries like the US, China, India, Japan, and European Union member states.
Vice President Kamala Harris' Engagements in Southeast Asia
Leading up to President Biden's visit, Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to attend the US-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, from September 4 to 7. During this trip, Vice President Harris will participate in discussions and engagements with leaders from the Indo-Pacific region, reinforcing the US commitment to Southeast Asia and ASEAN centrality.
Continued Diplomatic Outreach
"This visit builds on President Biden's participation in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and the East Asia Summit in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in November 2022, his virtual participation in the U.S.-ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit in November 2021, and the President's and Vice President's engagements with ASEAN leaders at the historic May 2022 U.S.-ASEAN Special Summit in Washington, D.C.
"This is the Vice President's third trip to Southeast Asia in the past two years, and builds on her August 2021 visit to Singapore and Vietnam and her November 2022 visit to Thailand and the Philippines," Jean-Pierre said.
