New Delhi: One of the key moments of a G20 summit that everyone looks forward to is the ‘family photo’ where the world leaders share a frame standing shoulder-to-shoulder wearing a smile. The opening photograph taken at the summit is usually a source of interesting dynamics of who stands where and shares the space with which contemporary leader, which is not governed by geopolitics but followed under a protocol.
Earlier in the day, G20 leaders visited Rajghat and paid their respects to Mahatma Gandhi as their summit came to a close.
Sharing the G20 'family' photo from the Rajghat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a post on social media platform X, said, "At the iconic Rajghat, the G20 family paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi - the beacon of peace, service, compassion and non-violence. As diverse nations converge, Gandhi Ji’s timeless ideals guide our collective vision for a harmonious, inclusive and prosperous global future."
Leaders of the troika stand to take the prime spot in the front row with the head of the host nation in the middle along with hosts of the last and the next summits on either side. Presidents and prime ministers with the most years in office stand alternatively on the left and right sides of the troika leaders.
The side row includes guests such as the heads of international organisations.
The conventional photo-op carries a message of its own in line with the existing world politics. Last year’s G20 Summit in Indonesia’s Bali happened without the ’family photo’ over tensions amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although President Vladimir Putin is not attending the summit.
In 2017, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince caught the attention during the family photo at the G20 Buenos Aires Summit for being “sidelined”, standing at the far edge of the group portrait and “ignored” as he had been accused of ordering the murder of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
As per the reports, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, quickly exited the stage without shaking hands or talking with other leaders.
A year earlier, during the 2017 Hamburg G20 Summit, former US President Donald Trump was the centre of attention in the family photo as he was seen standing at the corner in the front row between French President Emmanuel Macron and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
However, the arrangement was nothing more than compliance to the protocol that the presidents with more years in office get to stand earlier.