PM MODI IN G20 SUMMIT IN SOUTH AFRICA
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated in the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa (November 21-23, 2025).
During his visit, he put forward a six-point agenda for global initiatives, called for a global compact on AI, and held several bilateral meetings with world leaders.
PROPOSALS & INITIATIVES
PM Modi outlined India’s vision for global development and cooperation, which included the following proposals:
- A G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus: To take urgent action against drug trafficking, which he noted is a significant source of financing for terrorism.
- A G20 Global Healthcare Response Team: Comprising trained medical professionals from G20 nations ready for rapid deployment during health emergencies and natural disasters.
- A G20 Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative: With the goal of creating one million certified trainers across Africa within a decade to build a future-ready workforce.
- A Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: To document and preserve sustainable and eco-balanced practices from around the world.
- A G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership: To share satellite data for the benefit of agriculture, fishing, and disaster management.
- A G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: To improve sustainability and value addition in the critical minerals sector.
FOCUS ON AI
A major focus of the Prime Minister’s address was the responsible deployment and governance of AI.
He called for a global compact on AI to prevent misuse in areas like deep fakes, crime, and terrorism.
He stressed that AI should enhance human capabilities but the final decision-making responsibility must always remain with humans. ]
India plans to host an AI Impact Summit in February 2026 to further this discussion.
BILATERAL MEETINGS
On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held extensive discussions with several leaders to strengthen bilateral ties. Key meetings included those with:
- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney
- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres
During his meeting with the Australian and Canadian PMs, he announced a new trilateral technology and innovation partnership (ACITI).
ADVOCACY FOR GLOBAL SOUTH
PM Modi emphasized reconsidering global development parameters to address imbalances and overexploitation of nature. He advocated for the philosophy of “Integral Humanism” to achieve harmony between progress and the planet and welcomed the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, an inclusion that occurred during India’s 2023 G20 Presidency.
PM Modi’s visit concluded with a strong message about India’s commitment to global well-being and a human-centric approach to development.
He described the Johannesburg summit as a success that will contribute to a prosperous and sustainable planet.
ABOUT G20
- G-20, is a group of finance ministers and central bank governors from 19 individual countries and European Union. It was established in 1999.
- G20 was elevated to a forum of Heads of State/Government in 2008 to effectively respond to the global financial crisis of 2008.
- G-20 is a forum, not a legislative body, its agreements and decisions have no legal impact, but they do influence countries’ policies and global cooperation.
- G20 members represent around 80% of global GDP, over 75% of global trade, and 60% of the world’s population.
- G20 members contribute 79% of the world carbon emissions and hence this platform assumes significance in shaping the discussion on climate change.
- The G20 consists of 2 parallel tracks – the Finance track, led by Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors and the Sherpa track.
- A sherpa is the personal representative of a head of state or head of government who prepares an international summit, such as the annual G20 summits.
- Basically, Sherpa track clears the way for a head of state at a major summit.
MEMBERSHIP
G7, G8 & G20
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