India (Commonwealth Union)_ The three-day G20 Leaders’ Summit in South Africa opened with a sense of history and anticipation. For the first time since the grouping was formed, the Summit is being hosted on African soil. The theme, “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” set the tone for wide-ranging discussions expected to address the world’s increasingly complex economic and geopolitical challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg, expressing confidence that the meetings would lead to productive discussions on pressing global issues.
Modi’s aircraft touched down at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Gauteng, where he was welcomed with full ceremonial honors. A red-carpet reception by the South African Air Force marked India’s importance at the summit and the strengthening relationship between New Delhi and South Africa. The warm reception served as the first indication of the enthusiasm with which South Africa was hosting leaders from around the world.
A warm welcome
South Africa’s Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, received the prime minister at the airport. Modi was accorded a guard of honor, followed by a cultural performance showcasing South Africa’s diverse traditions. He later wrote that he looked forward to constructive and meaningful conversations with fellow leaders. This edition of the G20 carries added symbolic value for India, as the African Union was inducted as a permanent member during India’s presidency in 2023, an inclusion many African leaders credit India for championing. Modi emphasized that India’s approach at the summit would continue to focus on cooperation, development, and a shared future for the Global South.
Modi meets the Indian diaspora
Soon after his arrival, Modi met with members of Johannesburg’s Indian diaspora, which is lively and prominent. At the hotel, children greeted him with traditional prayers, and local artists performed dances representing the cultural richness of several Indian states, including Bengal and Assam, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Maharashtra. Modi also spent time with young people who performed Vedic hymns, talking casually and complimenting their efforts.
The meeting reflected India’s long-standing relations with South Africa, which were shaped by Mahatma Gandhi’s time there and sustained by decades of cultural exchange. The crowd greeted Modi with chants and patriotic messages. In a message later shared publicly, he said the warmth of the community reaffirmed the timeless bond that links the two nations. He also met Indian-origin technology entrepreneurs working across sectors such as fintech, healthcare, agriculture, and social media. Modi encouraged them to deepen their engagement with India and support innovation-focused collaborations.
Major development in counter-terrorism
Although the G20 is primarily an economic forum, South Africa’s summit took an unusually firm tone on global security. The Leaders’ Declaration included a strong condemnation of terrorism in every form, along with a call to strengthen frameworks for tracking illicit financial flows. Modi, who has often advocated for a unified global approach to counter-terrorism, reiterated this at the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) meeting, urging nations to avoid double standards. A big breakthrough occurred during Modi’s discussion with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. India and Italy have endorsed the India-Italy Joint Initiative on Countering Terrorism Financing, which aims to improve cooperation through forums such as the FATF and GCTF. The effort reflects the two countries’ growing consensus on security goals.
Bilateral meetings with 18 nations
Over the course of the summit, Modi held bilateral meetings with leaders from 18 nations, an unusually large number even for G20 gatherings. His engagements included talks with leaders from Australia, Canada, the UK, Italy, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, Vietnam, Singapore, Ethiopia, Angola, Jamaica, Malaysia, Brazil, the Netherlands, and South Africa itself. He also met the heads of three global institutions. Among the most notable interactions was his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, where both sides reviewed ongoing partnerships in technology, space, defense, and trade. Modi’s meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi marked their first in-person interaction; Japan expressed strong support for India’s upcoming Global AI Summit scheduled for early 2026. Another significant meeting took place with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Modi described their discussion as very productive, noting that India and Canada have witnessed new momentum in recent months. The discussions centered on trade, investment, innovation, and education.
Modi’s contacts also included Caribbean and African leaders, including as Jamaican and Ethiopian prime ministers, as well as the Angolan, South Korean, and French presidents. The discussions spanned from economic cooperation and cultural interaction to key mineral and technological ties. His meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa was characterized as excellent, with both leaders discussing their bilateral partnership in commerce, skills development, artificial intelligence, and mineral resources. Later, Modi also interacted with the United Nations Secretary-General and International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.
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Launch of the Australia–Canada–India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI)
One of the summit’s notable accomplishments was the establishment of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI). The alliance, announced during a trilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeks to deepen cooperation in emerging technologies, essential minerals, ecological innovation, and responsible artificial intelligence development. The three countries decided to work together more closely on developing robust supply chains and fostering public-facing AI applications. Officials plan to meet again in the first quarter of 2026 to further the relationship.
Strong emphasis on the global south
The Johannesburg meeting clearly reflected the goals India championed during its own G20 chairmanship. Development, equity, and representation for the Global South were key topics in debates. For PM Modi, this summit was an opportunity to build on that momentum, especially with the G20 gathering in Africa for the first time. Throughout all three sessions, Modi emphasized the importance of inclusive growth that does not leave emerging economies behind. He emphasized that for global growth to be really sustainable, collaboration must go beyond traditional economic indicators and prioritize equitable access to opportunity, technology, and investment. The presence of the African Union as a permanent G20 member added further weight to these discussions.
Modi’s call for a global compact on AI
At a session titled “A Fair and Just Future for All—Critical Minerals, Decent Work, Artificial Intelligence,” Modi urged world leaders to work toward a global compact to regulate and safeguard the use of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the need to keep AI human-centered and accountable, particularly when technology is developed for deepfakes, crime, and terrorism. He also stressed the importance of auditability and openness in systems that define legitimacy and public trust, and for this reason, final decisions regarding autonomous systems, or robots, should be made by humans. Modi also supported a worldwide framework to facilitate talent mobility across nations and help nations build their workforces in a fast-changing technology landscape. His initiatives on talent mobility, along with other efforts in India, have showcased the country’s rising leadership in digital public infrastructure, which has garnered global attention in recent years.
High-level engagements at G20 and IBSA
Across the summit, Modi took part in 24 major meetings and engagements, including the long-awaited IBSA Summit, held after a 14-year gap. The trilateral grouping of India, Brazil, and South Africa has historically focused on strengthening South-South cooperation and reforming global governance structures. Modi joined Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for discussions on global development priorities, digital innovation, and sustainable growth. He reiterated that reforming the United Nations Security Council is no longer optional but necessary to reflect modern geopolitical realities.
Additionally, Modi proposed a series of new initiatives under IBSA, including 1. An annual IBSA-level National Security Advisors’ meeting. 2. An IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance. 3. An IBSA Fund for Climate-Resilient Agriculture. He also highlighted areas where the three countries can work together, from digital infrastructure and natural farming to green energy and traditional medicine. The discussions reinforced the idea that IBSA can play a central role in representing the aspirations of the Global South.
PM Modi’s six-point agenda
During the G20 sessions, Modi outlined six major proposals aimed at strengthening the bloc’s role in addressing global challenges:
- A G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus, calling for urgent action against drug trafficking and its links to terrorist financing.
- A G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, comprising trained medical professionals from member countries, ready for rapid deployment during global crises.
- A G20 Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative, focused on building a future-ready workforce and supporting Africa’s long-term development needs.
- A Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, to document, preserve, and promote traditional practices across member countries.
- A G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, enabling shared access to satellite data for development and disaster management.
- A G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative, aimed at supporting sustainable mining, circularity, and enhanced value creation in the global minerals sector.
These proposals reflected India’s focus on development, technology, security, and resilience, areas where G20 cooperation could have a long-term impact.
First African G20 Summit
This year’s summit also marked a significant moment for the G20 as it continued a remarkable pattern, the fourth consecutive meeting hosted in the Global South, following Indonesia, India, and Brazil. South Africa’s presidency, which began in 2025, carries symbolic importance as it brings the world’s most influential economies to a continent at the heart of global development debates. The G20 today includes 19 nations, the European Union, and the African Union. The grouping was formed in 1999 as a bridge between developed and developing economies and now represents more than 85% of global GDP and 75% of international trade.
But decision-making in the bloc works through consensus, often requiring delicate balancing among diverse priorities, from the United States and Europe to China, Russia, India, and emerging economies. This year’s discussions unfolded against the backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions, shifting alliances, and slow global growth. Leaders collectively emphasized the need to preserve dialogue, reduce conflict, and strengthen multilateral cooperation to address shared challenges.
Africa lauds PM Modi
Many African leaders and commentators have continued to credit India for championing the African Union’s entry into the G20. The move, finalized during India’s presidency, is widely seen as a turning point in how the grouping engages with developing countries. The Johannesburg summit, however, faced an unusual diplomatic cloud after the United States confirmed it would not send top-level representation, following political disagreements over statements related to South Africa.
The absence created uncertainty around the ceremonial handover of the G20 chair, which traditionally takes place between leaders. Eventually, the US announced its embassy officials would be present for the formal transition. Amid these developments, PM Modi’s presence and India’s proactive engagements drew positive attention. Prominent African journalist Hopewell Chin’ono remarked on India’s strategic communication and praised the professionalism of Modi’s media team, saying it reflects a country that invests in excellence.
Concluding the trip
As the summit concluded on November 23, PM Modi described the event as a meaningful step toward building a more prosperous and sustainable global future. He said that his extensive discussions with world leaders would help strengthen India’s partnerships across continents, especially in areas such as economic development, technology cooperation, and global governance. Modi also thanked the people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the South African government for hosting the historic summit. His visit closed with a sense of continuity: from India’s strong G20 presidency in 2023 to a renewed commitment to shaping a fairer, more inclusive global order.
