PM Modi leaves for South Africa to attend G20 Summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for a three-day visit to Johannesburg to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled from November 22 to 23.
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister said the summit is “particularly special,” as it will be the first G20 meeting to be held in Africa. He recalled that during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, the African Union was inducted as a full member of the grouping, underscoring India’s commitment to inclusivity and the Global South.
Highlighting the theme of this year’s summit, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” PM Modi said it would be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. He added that India would present its perspective in line with the vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
The Prime Minister also said he looks forward to engaging with partner country leaders, participating in the 6th IBSA Summit on the sidelines, and meeting members of the vibrant Indian diaspora in South Africa.
In a Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) briefing on Thursday, Secretary (Economic Relations) Sudhakar Dalela described the summit as an important platform for advancing the priorities of the Global South. He noted that this will be PM Modi’s fourth official visit to South Africa, following earlier visits in 2016, 2018 and 2023.
Dalela highlighted South Africa’s G20 priorities, including disaster resilience, debt sustainability for low-income countries, financing for a just energy transition and harnessing critical minerals for inclusive growth. He said India’s key focus areas — digital public infrastructure, women-led development, disaster risk reduction, food security, renewable energy and energy efficiency — have found strong alignment under South Africa’s presidency.
South Africa will host three key sessions at the summit. The first session, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind, will address economic development, trade, financing for development and the global debt burden. The second session, A Resilient World – the G20’s Contribution, will focus on disaster risk reduction, climate change, just energy transitions and food systems. The third session, A Fair and a Just Future for All, will cover critical minerals, decent work and the role of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Modi is expected to speak in all three sessions, presenting India’s views on each theme.
Dalela also confirmed that the Prime Minister will hold bilateral meetings with several world leaders during the summit. The IBSA Leaders’ Meeting, to be held on the sidelines, will focus on political coordination, trilateral cooperation and initiatives under the IBSA Fund for food security and hunger alleviation, highlighting shared priorities of India, Brazil and South Africa.
Responding to questions on terrorism, Dalela said that while the G20 is primarily an economic forum, issues concerning India and the Global South continue to be raised across various ministerial tracks. He added that the African Union’s participation this year further strengthens the focus on African development and Global South concerns.
