World leaders from the Group of 20 rich and developing economies broke with tradition and adopted a declaration at the start of their summit in South Africa on Saturday despite opposition from the United States, which is boycotting the two-day talks in a diplomatic rift with the host country.
Vincent Magwenya, the spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, said a leaders’ declaration was adopted unanimously by the other members at the start of the talks in Johannesburg. “Normally the adoption of the declaration happens right at the end. But there was a sense that we should actually move to have the summit declaration adopted first as the first order of the day,” Magwenya said.
Vincent Magwenya, South African President spokesperson Pic/PTI
“We have communicated to the American government that the president will not be handing over to a junior official of the embassy,” South African Foreign Ministry spokesperson Chrispin Phiri. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived at the venue of the G-20 Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday, marking India’s participation at the high-level gathering.
“Now is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable,” Modi told the session. Canada, Australia and India announced a technology partnership on the sidelines of the G-20. The partnership will help diversify supply chains, and improve on clean energy and emerging technologies, Modi said in a social media post. The European Council meted out a statement on the Ukraine issue stating, “We are ready to engage in order to ensure that a future peace is sustainable. We are clear on the principle that borders must not be changed by force.”
The Trump administration had put pressure on South Africa not to adopt a leaders’ declaration in the absence of an American delegation, South African officials said.
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