THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, DELHI

. Dr. Waeil Awwad, President, Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia

. Sh. Prakash Nanda, Secretary of the Club

. Distinguished members of the Club, and guests

Delhi's emergence as a global capital is, in many ways, a story of continuity, rather than transformation. Historically, the city has long occupied, a central place in the political, economic and cultural life, of the sub-continent. For centuries, successive empires governed vast territories, from Delhi, making it, a centre of administration, commerce, diplomacy, and intellectual exchange.

What has changed today, is not Delhi's relevance, but the nature, of that relevance. In the 21st century, the city has evolved, beyond being merely, the administrative capital of India. It is increasingly a vital node, in global diplomatic, economic, technology and informational networks, reflecting India's expanding engagement, with the world.

This evolution has, not happened through, a single event or policy. It is the outcome, of sustained investment, in infrastructure, deeper diplomatic engagement, the growing frequency, of international summits, and the gradual integration of Delhi, into global flows of capital, innovation, technology and governance.

One of the most visible manifestations, of this transformation, has been Delhi's role as, the host of major international engagements. The G20 Leaders' Summit in 2023, stands out in particular. At a time of pronounced geopolitical divisions, India successfully facilitated, a consensus Leaders' Declaration, reflecting both, India's diplomatic leadership, and Delhi's growing institutional capability, to host events of global significance.

Along side the G20, Delhi has in recent years, hosted numerous multilateral meetings, sectoral summits, and international conferences, across trade, security, climate action, and emerging technologies. More recently, the India AI Impact Summit 2026, has reinforced the city's growing role, as a platform, where global conversations, increasingly extend beyond traditional diplomacy, into innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital governance.

What is important in this evolution, is not only, the visibility of these engagements, but the institutional capacity, they require. Hosting high-level international events, demands seamless co-ordination, across multiple agencies, resilient urban infrastructure, technological capability, and responsive public institutions. The ability to manage, such engagements at scale, reflects the growing maturity, of Delhi's governance eco-system.

These engagements, also have a cumulative, signalling effect. They contribute to reshaping, how Delhi is perceived, not merely, as India's national capital, but as a city, increasingly embedded, in global networks of diplomacy, commerce, innovation, and public policy.

However, global relevance, is not defined only by, inter-national visibility. It is equally defined, by the quality of governance, and by the Ease of Living, experienced by every citizen. 

The next phase of Delhi's evolution, will there-fore depend, upon strengthening citizen-centric governance, through greater use of technology, transparent and accessible public services, safer public spaces, particularly for women, and more efficient mobility, through integrated and intelligent, transport systems. These are not merely, administrative priorities; they are fundamental attributes, of a modern global capital.

Equally important, is the commitment, to sustainable urban development. Expanding green cover, improving air quality, promoting sustainable mobility, scientific waste management, conserving and rejuvenating, water bodies, encouraging rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and protecting natural resources, are all essential, for building a resilient, and environ-mentally responsible, Delhi. 

The transformation of a city, however, cannot be achieved, by government alone. It requires active participation, from citizens, and a shared sense of responsibility. Cleanliness, water conservation, traffic discipline, environ-mental aware-ness, and respect for public spaces, are integral to building, a sustainable and live-able city. Lasting urban transformation, is achieved not only, through physical infra-structure, but also, through responsible civic behaviour.

Delhi's universities, centres of excellence, and research institutions, constitute another important pillar, of this journey. Their contribution, extends beyond academic excellence, to research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy, helping generate solutions, to complex urban challenges, while contributing meaningfully, to society at large.

As Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, has observed, "The world is looking at India, with new confidence, and new expectations." As the nation's capital, Delhi is at the forefront, of global engagement, and carries a special responsibility, in fulfilling those expectations. Every improvement in governance, infrastructure, sustainability, and public service contributes, not only to the city's progress, but also to India's credibility, and standing on the global stage.

Delhi's rising profile, is therefore, not the result of a single event, or initiative. It is the outcome, of sustained institutional learning, public investment and expanding inter-national engagement over time. As India moves towards, the vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047, Delhi has a unique opportunity, to further strengthen its profile, as a global capital, by continuing to enhance the quality of governance, promote sustainable urban development, harness technological innovation, and improve the quality of life, for its citizens. In doing so, Delhi will not only deepen, its engagement with the world, but also reflect, the confidence, capability and aspirations, of a forward-looking India.

Thank you.

Jai Hind.