PM Modi Travels to South Africa for Historic 20th G20 Leaders' Summit on African Continent

PM Modi emplanes for South Africa to attend the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit

New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday departed for Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the first G20 summit, where he will engage in discussions on critical issues concerning India and the global south.

This summit represents the fourth consecutive G20 meeting hosted by nations of the Global South, following the presidencies of Indonesia, India, and Brazil. Before South Africa's hosting, the G20 presidencies were held by Brazil (2024), India (2023), and Indonesia (2022).

PM Modi is scheduled to attend the summit from November 21 to 23, marking a historic moment as the inaugural G20 summit to take place on African soil. This visit constitutes PM Modi's fourth official journey to South Africa, subsequent to his bilateral visit in 2016 and his participation in the BRICS summits of 2018 and 2023.

According to Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER) of the Ministry of External Affairs, the G20 represents a crucial forum where countries in previous sessions have agreed to produce consensus declarations, pilot initiatives, and implement new programs addressing various themes impacting the Global South.

"We are very pleased that these discussions have continued under Brazil's presidency and, of course, in South Africa under the four vertical areas outlined for their presidency. Numerous achievements have been realized throughout the year across various tracks in these domains. We are particularly gratified that issues significant to the Global South remain central to discussions and are receiving appropriate emphasis," the Secretary further stated.

The G20 encompasses major global economies representing 85% of worldwide GDP and 75% of international trade. The forum has established priority areas under South Africa's presidency theme: 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability'.

Regarding bilateral meetings planned on the G20 sidelines, Secretary Dalela indicated that arrangements are currently in progress.

He further noted that both India and South Africa are democracies whose cooperation rests on three pillars, one being political cooperation. The African Union, which attained permanent membership in the G20 during India's 2023 presidency, will significantly influence the summit's agenda formation.