Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday termed the COVID-19 pandemic as an important turning point in the history of humanity and said that it is the biggest challenge the world is facing since World War II.

At the G20 summit, PM Modi said that the ‘work from anywhere’ will be the new normal in the post-COVID world as he suggested the creation of a virtual G20 secretariat. 

The 15th G20 summit was opened by Saudi Arabia’s King Salman as the coronavirus pandemic overshadows this year’s gathering of heads of state that is being held in the virtual format. India is scheduled to host the G20 summit in 2022.

Modi also suggested developing a new global index for the post-coronavirus world, which comprises four key elements: the creation of a vast talent pool, ensuring that technology reaches all segments of society, transparency in systems of governance, and dealing with Mother Earth with a spirit of trusteeship.

He said that the spirit of ‘trusteeship towards Earth will inspire is for a healthy and holistic life,’ adding that the G20 can lay the foundation of a new world based on these four key elements. 

After participating in  the summit, PM Modi tweeted, “Had fruitful discussions at G20; coordinated efforts by world’s largest economies will lead to faster recovery from pandemic.”

Coordinated efforts by the largest economies of the world will surely lead to faster recovery from this pandemic. Thanked Saudi Arabia for hosting the Virtual Summit, he said.