PM Modi Heads to Historic First African G20 Summit in South Africa to Present India's Global Vision

Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Friday for a three-day visit to South Africa to participate in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, where he plans to present India's perspective aligned with the vision of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and 'One Earth, One Family and One Future'.

This G20 Summit marks a historic milestone as the first such gathering held on African soil.

"Will be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the Summit," PM Modi shared on X.

During his time at the summit, the Prime Minister is expected to engage in bilateral discussions with several world leaders in Johannesburg. Additionally, he will participate in the sixth IBSA Summit.

In his departure statement, PM Modi emphasized, "I will present India's perspective at the Summit in line with our vision of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' and 'One earth, One Family and One Future'."

He is visiting South Africa from November 22-23 at President Cyril Ramaphosa's invitation to attend the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit under South Africa's Presidency.

"This will be a particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa. During India's Presidency of the G20 in 2023, the African Union had become a member of the G20," PM Modi noted in his statement.

The Summit will provide a platform to address key global challenges. This year's G20 theme, 'Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,' builds upon outcomes from previous Summits held in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

"I look forward to my interactions with leaders of the partner countries, and participation in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled on the sidelines of the Summit," the Prime Minister stated.

"During the visit, I also look forward to my interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, which is one of the largest outside India," he added.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs' Tuesday announcement, Prime Minister Modi is expected to contribute to all three Summit sessions.

The sessions include "Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind: Building our economies, the role of trade, financing for development and the debt burden."

Additional sessions will cover "A Resilient World – the G20's Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Just Energy Transitions, Food Systems" and "A Fair and a Just Future for All: Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence."

On Thursday, a senior MEA official mentioned that while he wouldn't predict the contents of the leaders' declaration, all significant matters relevant to India and the Global South would be "highlighted by our leadership."

This represents the fourth consecutive summit of the grouping taking place in the Global South.

Prior to South Africa, the G20 presidencies were held by Brazil (2024), India (2023), and Indonesia (2022).

During the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi, the African Union was welcomed as a permanent member of the group of 20 largest economies, with Prime Minister Modi announcing its inclusion in the grouping.

G20 membership encompasses the world's major economies, representing 85 percent of global GDP, 75 percent of international trade, and two-thirds of the world population, according to the G20 website.

The G20 comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US, the European Union, and the African Union.