India has joined the champions group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) after an invitation by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. As per the MEA statement, the decision to join the group reflects India's increasing global leadership and commitment addressing contemporary challenges.
"India has joined the Champions Group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG), accepting an invitation from United Nations Secretary General (UNSG) António Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi," it said.
The GCRG was set up by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) in March last year to address urgent and critical global issues such as food and energy security challenges.
The Champions Group oversees the GCRG and comprises heads of states and heads of governments of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia, and Senegal.
"The decision to join the group reflects India's increasing global leadership and commitment to addressing contemporary global challenges," the MEA said in a statement.
"India's participation will further boost the efforts of the United Nations in finding result-oriented solutions on developmental issues that impact the world, particularly developing countries," it said.
MEA Secretary (West) Sanjay Verma has been designated as the Sherpa to the GCRG process, the statement said, adding the sherpas will meet later on Friday virtually and a meeting of the Champions is scheduled for July 21.