G20 Delegates visit Sarnath Temple as the Development Minister’s Meeting Concludes in Varanasi

After the successful completion of the G20 Development Ministers’ meeting in Varanasi, the G20 delegates visited the historic Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh on June 13, 2023, Tuesday. They were accompanied by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Foreign delegates saw ancient ruins, monuments, Dhamek Stupa, hermitage place, museum,etc during their visit. Along with this, Foreign Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar was also seen giving information about the historical place.

Along with the foreign delegates, 115 guides appointed by the Government of Uttar Pradesh were also accompanying the delegates providing them with all the information.During the Sarnath tour, the foreign delegates walked around the Dhamek Stupa built during the Gupta period and were informed about its history from the inscription and guide on the stupa. During the visit, a cultural program was also organized for the delegates. After the cultural program eneded, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that “We are leaving Varanasi today with wonderful memories of Sarnath Darshan.”

Earlier the G20 Development Ministers’ Conference in Varanasi adopted an ambitious seven-year action plan presented by India to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the G20 countries. Along with this, another document was accepted in the meeting to increase cooperation and partnership regarding sustainable lifestyles for meeting climate change goals. The outcome document was adopted by the development ministers and will be presented for consideration by G20 leaders at the G20 summit scheduled in New Delhi from 9 – 10 September.

In his address, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said “The Action Plan on the SDGs will not only inspire a stronger G20 commitment to the development agenda but also drive transformative actions in three key areas.” Apart from this, Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said that “discussions were held among the G-20 countries regarding lifestyle for environmental protection. Wherein, India’s lifestyle was presented as a model. During the meeting, 9 principles of lifestyle were decided.”

During the meeting, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said,“India has become the voice of the Global South and has tried to raise the issues of financial gap and debt challenges about achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” Talking about the sea change brought by India after taking over the G20 presidency, he said that “India’s approach has brought development back to the G20’s focus and has given hope to the countries of the Global South.”