India to host 120 countries on Jan 12-13

India will host a virtual summit of around 120 developing countries next week, its foreign minister said yesterday, as the country looks to bolster international cooperation during its presidency of the Group of 20 (G20) biggest economies.

"India has always been in the forefront and consistently championed the cause of the developing world," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters, adding that the Covid-19 pandemic, climate change and the conflict in Ukraine had impacted many developing countries.

Heads of governments, foreign ministers and finance ministers will participate in the "Voice of Global South Summit" where discussions will range from financial development to energy security in developing nations, Kwatra said.

More than 120 invites have been sent for the two-day summit scheduled for Jan. 12-13 and a confirmed list of participating countries will be shared later, Kwatra said.