Prime Minister Sanchez extended full support to India’s initiatives under its G20 Presidency and the two leaders agreed to remain in contact…reports Asian Lite News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday had a telephone conversation with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez wherein he briefed him about India’s priorities for G20 Presidency.
“Glad to speak with Prime Minister of Spain @sanchezcastejon. We discussed ways to further strengthen our growing bilateral relationship. Look forward to continuing our close cooperation as part of India’s G20 Presidency,” tweeted PM Modi. Briefing his Spanish counterpart he said that India’s priorities for G20 Presidency are oriented towards working to promote oneness based on the theme of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam (One Earth, One Family, One Future), read Prime Minister’s Office press release.
Responding to it, Prime Minister Sanchez extended full support to India’s initiatives under its G20 Presidency and the two leaders agreed to remain in contact.
Earlier Sanchez tweeted, “I have just had a fruitful conversation with the Prime Minister of India,
@narendramodi. I have reiterated Spain’s support for the Indian #G20 presidency and we have agreed to continue strengthening our bilateral relations, especially in the areas of economy and trade.”
The leaders discussed a number of bilateral and international issues of mutual interest. They reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives and expressed satisfaction at the recent high-level exchanges and growing cooperation in defence, economic and commercial sectors. They agreed to collaborate on issues such as digital infrastructure, climate action, clean energy transition and sustainable development, added the release.
Earlier, Jose Manuel Albares, Spain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, visited India on June 15, 2022. This was his first official visit to India. It was one of the first high-level visits to India from Spain.
During his visit, Albares held talks with his Indian counterpart Dr S Jaishankar. Both foreign ministers reviewed the bilateral relations. At the same time, both also committed to add new depth and content to the relationship.
Spain remains one of those countries with which India’s relations are still in the process of development. While India has close engagements with the European Union (EU), France, Germany and the United Kingdom, its relations with Spain are yet to reach that level.
It is important to consider the reasons for the relatively underdeveloped nature of the India-Spain relations as also how India and Spain could find common ground to strengthen their ties.
To strengthen their relations, India and Spain would need to find common ground at the bilateral level and also at multilateral levels as the emerging world order is a unique mix of continuation of the old order and emergence of the new simultaneously.
China’s actions are directed at creating a China-centric order challenging the United States and other democratic nations. At the same time, the Russia-Ukraine war is pushing Europe towards becoming a theatre for conflict between major world powers.
Recently, India and the EU have resumed talks for a free trade agreement (FTA). India also concluded a trade pact with Australia in April and with the UAE in February. India and Spain could consider similar agreement to boost their bilateral trade. (ANI)
Khajuraho to host G20 Culture Working Group meet
The first Culture Working Group meet, under India’s G-20 Presidency, will be held in Madhya Pradesh’s temple town Khajuraho from February 22.
Officials of the Ministry of Culture said that India’s G20 Culture Track is predicated on the idea of ‘Culture for LiFE’ – an environmentally conscious lifestyle as a campaign for sustainable living.
The CWG will evolve through four meetings in four historic cities of India and steer the G20 discourse on four priority areas. India’s CWG will reflect the emergence of culture as a prominent theme on the global stage, it will adopt culture to renew multilateral and multicultural cooperation at all levels, and will aim to forward this ideal and inform future global cultural policies and initiatives.
An ancient city, Khajuraho is known for its majestic temples and elaborate sculptures. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Khajuraho’s monuments were constructed by the Chandela Dynasty between 950-1050 AD. The aesthetic of the Nagara-style architecture, ornamented with the intricate and detailed sculptures, acts like a window into the socio-cultural practices of the time. According to historical records, there were 85 temples in the temple site in Khujaraho, covering 20 square km, in the 12th Century AD. However, today, only 25 of these temples – scattered throughout a 6 square km area – have survived.
Officials said that as a part of the meeting, there will be an exhibition titled “Re(ad)dress : Return of Treasures” at the Maharaja Chhatrasal Convention Centre (MCCC), which will be inaugurated by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Culture and Tourism Minister G. Kishan Reddy.
The delegates from the G20 countries will get to experience cultural programmes including the Khajuraho Dance Festival. They will also get to visit the Western Group of Temples along with a tiger safari at the Panna Tiger Reserve.
India assumed the G20 presidency on 1 December 2022, articulating the theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – One Earth. One Family. One Future’, which aims to foster, celebrate, and incorporate the diversity of cultural traditions amongst the member states while striving towards holistic living and creating a pro-people planet.
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