A previous billboard congratulating PM Modi on becoming the world’s most popular leader has emerged on social media, claiming that the BJP had put up a similar poster before the G20 summit.
Security personnel are stationed outside the Bharat Mandap near the Pragati Maidan for the G20 Summit.
Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Pawan Kheda raised questions on Thursday about a purported billboard that portrayed PM Modi as more popular than world leaders and asked if the BJP practices ‘Atithi Devo Bhava’ (guest is God) in a similar manner. The BJP immediately responded, stating that this was fake news and no such billboard was displayed before the G20 Summit. In the alleged billboard, Vijay Goyal’s name was mentioned. BJP leader Vijay Goyal tweeted, “This is fake news. No such billboard was put up. Congress should refrain from such petty politics at a time when India is hosting a global event.”
As India hosts the G20 Summit in New Delhi as the Chair, several world leaders are expected to attend. Delhi has been adorned for the arrival of delegates, with heightened security in and around the capital. Central ministers have been tasked with welcoming the heads of state on their arrival.
Leaders participating in the G20 summit include US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, among others.
Congress raised concerns about the absence of Russian and Chinese heads of state and urged the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure the participation of all heads of state in such a large-scale event. Pawan Kheda said, “Large-scale events are being organized, but the absence of two very important nations’ leaders raises many questions, and we hope that the Foreign Minister will answer these questions.” “We want to advise him (Jaishankar) that when the Prime Minister is hosting such a big event at such a high cost, it is the responsibility of the minister to ensure that all heads of state participate in it one by one and that India benefits from the presidency,” the Congress leader said. Read More
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that President Xi Jinping will not participate in the G20 Summit in New Delhi and that Prime Minister Li Keqiang will lead the delegation. Russian President Vladimir Putin had earlier stated that he would not personally attend the G20 Summit as he needed to focus on a “special military campaign” in Ukraine.
