G20 summit: Ukraine war, Covid crisis and global trust deficit: what Modi said in opening remarks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G20 summit ahead of its first session. Opening the 2-day summit, Modi stressed on inclusivity and said that India's G20 presidency has been people-centric

Asserting that the Ukraine war has deepened the trust deficit globally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India appeals to the entire world to turn it into confidence in each other.

In his opening remarks at the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Bharat Mandapam, Modi said the 21st century is a time of giving new direction to the world.

"This is a time when age-old challenges are calling for new solutions from us. And therefore, with a human-centric approach, we have to move forward to fulfil our responsibilities," Modi said.

"After COVID-19, there is a big crisis of trust deficit in the world. The war has deepened this trust deficit. When we can defeat Covid we can also achieve victory over this trust deficit crisis.

"As G20 president, India appeals to the world to change this global trust deficit into confidence on each other. It is a time to walk together," Modi said.

The prime minister told the gathering that it had become a people's G20 in India with over 200 events held in more than 60 cities.

(with PTI inputs)