As India readies to assume the presidency of the "powerful" G20, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the country should focus on global good during its term and asserted that it has solutions to the challenges related to peace, unity, environment and sustainable development.
India will officially assume the G20 presidency from the current chair Indonesia on December 1.
Noting that assuming G20 presidency is a "big opportunity" for India, Modi said the theme that India has given is “One Earth, One Family, One Future” which shows its commitment to 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (world is one family).
"The G20 has a partnership comprising two-thirds of the world's population, three-fourths of world trade, and 85 per cent of world GDP. You can imagine – India is going to preside over such a big group, such a powerful group, from December 1," he said during his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme.
"What a great opportunity has come for India, for every Indian! This becomes even more special because India was awarded this responsibility during 'Azadi Ka Amrit Kaal (75th year of India's Independence')," the prime minister said.
The presidency of the G-20 has arrived as a big opportunity for India and it has to make full use of this opportunity and focus on global good and welfare of the world. "Whether it is peace or unity, sensitivity towards the environment, or sustainable development, India has solutions to challenges related to these," he said.
In his 95th Mann ki Baat broadcast, Modi hailed a "unique gift" from a weaver from Telangana, Hariprasad, who sent the PM a G20 logo woven with his own hands.
The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the UK, the US and the European Union.
Talking about India's upcoming G20 presidency, Modi said there should be welfare of all, peace to all, fulfilment to all and well being for all. In the coming days, many programmes related to G-20 will be organised in different parts of the country, he noted. "During this period, people from different parts of the world will get a chance to visit your states. I am sure that you will bring the diverse and distinctive colours of your culture to the world and you also have to remember that the people coming to the G-20, even if they come now as delegates, are tourists of the future," he said in his address. He also urged people especially the youth to join the G20 in one way or the other.
- PTI
Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap perform at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy
Police may probe anti-Israel comments at Glastonbury
BRITISH police said they were considering whether to launch an investigation after performers at Glastonbury Festival made anti-Israel comments during their shows.
"We are aware of the comments made by acts on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival this afternoon," Avon and Somerset Police, in western England, said on X late on Saturday (28).
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan made anti-Israeli chants in separate shows on the West Holts stage on Saturday. One of the members of Bob Vylan chanted "Death, death, to the IDF" in a reference to the Israel Defense Forces.
"Video evidence will be assessed by officers to determine whether any offences may have been committed that would require a criminal investigation," the police statement said.
The Israeli Embassy in Britain said it was "deeply disturbed by the inflammatory and hateful rhetoric expressed on stage at the Glastonbury Festival".
Prime minister Keir Starmer said earlier this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap to appear at Glastonbury.
The band's frontman Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He has denied the charge.
A British government minister said it was appalling that the anti-Israel chants had been made at Glastonbury, and that the festival's organisers and the BBC broadcaster - which is showing the event - had questions to answer.
Health secretary Wes Streeting said he was also appalled by violence committed by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.
"I'd also say to the Israeli Embassy, get your own house in order in terms of the conduct of your own citizens and the settlers in the West Bank," Streeting told Sky News.
"I wish they'd take the violence of their own citizens towards Palestinians more seriously," he said.
(Reuters)