External Affairs Ministry on Thursday said that India’s objective is to hold the scheduled meetings under its G20 presidency in “physical format”. Foreign ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi made the comment when asked if India plans to conduct G20 meetings in virtual mode considering the rise in Covid-19 cases in China and some other countries.
The statement comes at a time when a surge in Covid-19 cases is being reported from China.
“There are more than 200 meetings that we have planned, some of them have already taken place in December. Our expectation and our objective is to have these meetings in physical format. Whether, as and when if we have to change these guidelines or this plan, we will let you know,” Bagchi said.
He added, “For the moment, we do plan to have these meetings in physical format.”
Bagchi said that a formal announcement would be made if any change of plan regarding the G20 meetings is finalised.
On the present situation in China, the MEA spokesperson added that the ministry is closely monitoring the developments there.
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“We are keeping an eye on the Covid situation in China. We have always helped other countries as the pharmacy of the world,” Bagchi said on the China Covid scare.
Responding to a question concerning restrictions on Chinese participation in the G20 meetings, Bagchi said, “Look, if there are new guidelines that come in, on what are the restrictions if any on particular regions or particular geographies, then that will be applicable to all those people, whether they will be G20 particularly or not. As of now, I don’t have any information on additional guidelines on entry in India.”
India assumed the G20 presidency on December 1 and will be hosting over 200 meetings in more than 50 cities across 32 different workstreams.
(With PTI Inputs)