• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit, marking the first time the forum is being hosted on the African continent. The summit, scheduled from November 21 to 23, is expected to focus on issues that significantly impact the Global South, including development cooperation, sustainability and equitable global governance.

This year’s G20 gathering also continues a rare sequence, South Africa is the fourth consecutive Global South nation to preside over the bloc, following Indonesia (2022), India (2023) and Brazil (2024).

PM Calls It ‘Special Summit’

In a departure statement, Prime Minister Modi described the meeting as a “special summit” and underlined Africa’s growing role in global decision-making. He said the platform would help advance collective solutions on “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” the theme chosen by South Africa for its G20 presidency.

“This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X. He added that India will present its perspective guided by the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the vision of One Earth, One Family, One Future. PM Modi also said he would hold meetings with several world leaders during the visit.

Global South Issues Remain Central To agenda

South Africa’s presidency comes a year after India successfully steered the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20, a move seen as a major milestone in amplifying the voice of developing nations.

Briefing reporters, Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (ER) at the Ministry of External Affairs, said the G20 continues to be a crucial forum for shaping global priorities. He emphasised that the focus on the Global South has remained consistent through recent presidencies, noting that discussions in previous summits have progressed across multiple tracks. “We are very happy that these discussions have carried forward under the presidency of Brazil and, of course, in South Africa,” Dalela said. He added that the four verticals identified by South Africa have seen significant achievements over the past year.

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The G20 represents about 85 per cent of global GDP and 75 per cent of international trade, making it one of the most influential platforms driving economic and policy cooperation. On the sidelines of the G20 Summit, PM Modi will participate in the sixth IBSA (India–Brazil–South Africa) Summit, where the leaders are expected to review cooperation among the three major democracies of the Global South and discuss ways to deepen their strategic partnership.

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The Prime Minister also expressed enthusiasm about meeting the Indian diaspora in South Africa, calling the community “one of the largest and most vibrant outside India.” He said the interaction would offer a moment of cultural connection and shared pride. During his stay, PM Modi is expected to hold several bilateral meetings to strengthen India’s global partnerships and reinforce its commitment to multilateral cooperation.

With inputs from agency.

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