Minister of State Shri V. Muraleedharan to Represent India at G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Rio de Janeiro

New Delhi:  Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri V. Muraleedharan, is set to represent India at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) scheduled to take place in Rio de Janeiro on 21-22 February 2024. This gathering marks the 10th meeting of the G20 Foreign Ministers, a forum that has evolved into a crucial platform for collaborative discussions on a spectrum of global issues among G20 member nations.

The meeting holds special significance as it will be the first Ministerial meeting under the Presidency of Brazil, which assumed the G20 Presidency from India on 1 December 2023. The theme set by Brazil for its G20 Presidency is ‘Building a Just World and a Sustainable Planet.’ This theme underscores priorities related to social inclusion, the fight against hunger and poverty, energy transitions, sustainable development, and global governance reforms.

India, currently part of the G20 Troika alongside Brazil and South Africa, has extended its support to Brazil’s priorities. Working groups and mechanisms initiated during India’s G20 Presidency will continue under the Brazilian Presidency. Brazil has introduced new elements, including a Working Group on Empowerment of Women and an Engagement Group named “Judiciary 20.”

During the G20 FMM in Rio de Janeiro, Shri V. Muraleedharan will actively participate in discussions on two critical sessions. The first session will focus on the “G20’s role in dealing with ongoing international tensions,” and the second will delve into “Global governance reform.” In addition to these engagements, he will attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 22 February 2024.

In the sidelines of the FMM, Minister of State Shri V. Muraleedharan is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with representatives from partner countries in the Global South. These interactions will provide an opportunity to strengthen diplomatic ties, discuss shared concerns, and explore avenues for collaboration on global issues.

India’s active participation in the G20 FMM underscores its commitment to contributing constructively to international discourse and working collectively with other nations to address global challenges. Shri V. Muraleedharan’s representation at the meeting is expected to reinforce India’s diplomatic engagement and cooperation within the G20 framework.