G20 Summit to discuss free trade, terrorism

Hamburg, July 7: The G20 Summit got under way here Friday amid violent protests by various rights and anti-capitalist groups. Leaders assembled at the German port city are expected to discuss the global fight against terror and ways to improve open trade, among other things.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel welcomed the leaders to the city, which is under a heavy security with 15,000 police personnel deployed to protect the venue and 4,000 personnel keeping tab on airport and train security. The meeting is taking place at a time when differences have emerged among leaders expected to be present — mostly on publicly stated views of US President Donald Trump — including on issues such as climate change and open trade.
Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, France’s Emmanuel Macron and the UK’s Theresa May are among the key leaders taking part in the Summit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Hamburg late Thursday and has bilateral meetings lined up with leaders of Argentina, Canada, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, the UK and Vietnam.
He will participate in the leaders’ retreat and the sessions on Global Growth and Trade and on Sustainable Development, Climate and Energy. He was to also attend a concert for leaders at Elphilharmonie.
While counter-terrorism and economic reforms will dominate the discussions, the Summit will also discuss issues such as climate change, migration, sustainable development and global stability.
The prime minister had said the world leaders would review progress on decisions since the Hangzhou Summit last year . Agencies