Paris attack likely to overshadow Turkey G20 Summit

French President Francois Hollande has cancelled his visit and declared a state of emergency in France

The two-day G20 Summit at Antalya in southern Turkey from Saturday was likely to be overshadowed by the deadly multiple terror attacks in Paris a day before, with French President Francois Hollande cancelling his visit and declaring a state of emergency.

Prime minister Narendra Modi who has condemned the attack and described it as "anguishing and dreadful", is to leave from London later on Saturday to attend the summit. US President Barack Obama, who denounced the act as outrageous and gruesome, is also scheduled to attend the summit.

"News from Paris is anguishing and dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour," Modi tweeted.

President Pranab Mukherjee said, "I strongly condemn the terrorist attacks in Paris, India stands firmly by France. My heart goes out to its people."

Other leaders expected at the G20 Summit include Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Besides India, France, the US and Turkey, the G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Britain, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and the European Union.

Originally formed at the level of finance ministers and central bank governors in 1999 after the East Asian economic crisis, the G20 assumed significance after its elevation to a summit-level forum in 2008, following the global financial crisis.