<div style="text-align: justify; "><b style="font-size: 1rem;">Policymakers of the Group of 20 leading economies should focus on helping the world’s most vulnerable people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday as top-level financial talks kicked off in the Indian technology hub of Bengaluru.</b><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“You represent the leadership of global finance and economy at a time when the world is facing serious economic difficulties,” Modi said in a video address to the finance ministers, central bank governors and other leaders attending the meetings, which wrap up Saturday.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It is up to you, the custodians of the leading economies and market systems ... to bring back stability, confidence and growth to the global economy,” he said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As countries deal with slew of challenges in the aftermath of the pandemic, including unsustainable debt, conflict, inflation and eroding trust in international financial institutions, Modi said, “I urge you to focus on the most vulnerable people in the world.”</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The meetings in Bengaluru are due to touch on a wide range of issues including digital currencies and payments, reform of institutions like the World Bank, climate change and financial inclusion.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Multiple meetings between various leaders were also scheduled, including talks between U.S. and British officials and meetings of India’s finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, with her counterparts from France and Brazil.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As is usually the case, broader issues such as the war in Ukraine are overshadowing the talks.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">On Thursday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reaffirmed she would push for stronger sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and better enforcement of restrictions meant to hinder Moscow’s war effort.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The G-20 meetings offer a chance for leaders to consider how to coordinate their policies: many central banks including the U.S. Federal Reserve have been raising interest rates sharply to try to rein in decades-high inflation brought on by various factors including the war and rebounding demand for travel, goods and services following the COVID-19 pandemic.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">G20 Presidency: India to invite Bangladesh as guest country</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">With increases in income lagging far behind, rising costs for food, housing, fuel and fertilizer impose huge burdens, especially on the poor and in developing nations, where debt burdens have surged both at the national and household levels.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">As the G-20 host this year, India is taking the opportunity to showcase its ascent as an economic power.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Modi suggested the gathering could “draw hope from the vibrant Indian economy,” which is forecast to grow at a more than 6% annual pace this year, making it one of the fastest growing in the world. He also pointed to the country’s digital payments technology as a model to be emulated. UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd24/kh</div>