The G7 group of nations is to agree a new target of sending 40 million more girls from low and middle-income countries to school within five years.

A commitment of USD 15 billion to help women in developing countries access jobs and global targets to get girls into school will be the UK’s focus for the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers meeting, which begins in London on Monday.

Educating girls was a smart investment. The new targets would help ensure 12 years of continuous education for young women and transform "the fortunes not just of individuals, but whole communities and nations". Said, UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said

Charities have welcomed the pledge - but said it was at odds with the UK's decision to cut its overseas aid spending. The UK government announced last year it would cut UK aid spending from 0.7% of national income to 0.5% - a reduction of more than £4bn. It has yet to confirm which programmes will be affected.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will arrive for the summit by Monday afternoon local time and is expected to join the discussions with other guest nations invited by the UK, which holds 2021 presidency of the G7 – which comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US, UK and the European Union (EU).

Alongside India, Australia, the Republic of Korea, South Africa and the chair of the Association of southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have also been invited to the meeting as part of Britain's foreign policy focus on ties with the Indo-Pacific region.

Press Freedom Day: Diplomatic missions to Myanmar highlights need for media freedom

Taliban Mounts 141 Attacks in 24-hours in Afghanistan: Reports

Pakistan to postpone pedestrians’ entry from Afghanistan, Iran