President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed G20 leaders and participants at a spectacular dinner prepared for them on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam, the Summit's venue, news agency PTI reported. They welcomed the guests before the start of the meal upon a dais, with its backdrop symbolizing the ruins of the Nalanda University in Bihar and India's G20 presidency theme -- 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future'. The Nalanda University Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bihar, were one of the world's oldest universities.






President Murmu is receiving the G20 leaders, international representatives, and other dignitaries for a ceremonial supper at the Bharat Mandapam.






The recently constructed international convention and exposition centre and its grassy lawns glittered at night with bright lights, while its gurgling fountains and the 'Nataraja' statue situated in front of the state-of-the-art structure made a lovely image.


UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director and Chairman Kristalina Georgieva, dressed in traditional Indian attire Salwar Kurta, World Bank President Ajay Banga and his wife Ritu Banga, and Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were among the first to arrive at Pragati Maidan's newly built convention centre.






The 55-member African Union became a new permanent member of the world's major economies on Saturday, marking a key milestone during India's G20 chairmanship. It is the important bloc's first enlargement since its formation in 1999.


All G20 members agreed to Prime Minister Modi's proposal to elevate the major bloc of the Global South to the high table of the world's top economies.


Earlier in the day, the President stated that India's G20 Presidency theme, 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family, One Future,' is a global blueprint for inclusive, sustainable, and human-centered development.


"A warm welcome to all Heads of Delegations of the G20 nations, guest countries, and international organisations participating in the 18th G20 Summit in New Delhi," Murmu had said in a post on X.


The G20 Summit began on Saturday at the Bharat Mandapam and will finish on Sunday.