India has joined the champions group of the Global Crisis Response Group (GCRG) following an invitation from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday.

• The GCRG was set up by the UN Secretary General (UNSG) in March last year to address urgent and critical global issues such as food and energy security challenges.
• The MEA said the decision to join the group reflects India's increasing global leadership and commitment addressing contemporary challenges.
• The GCRG is overseen by the Champions Group and comprises heads of states and heads of governments of Bangladesh, Barbados, Denmark, Germany, Indonesia and Senegal.
• Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, has been designated as Sherpa to the GCRG process.