Before heading to Brazil for the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi completed a successful visit to Nigeria, where he engaged in bilateral meetings with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He also met with the Indian community in Nigeria, further strengthening the bond between the two nations. During his visit, Modi was honored with Nigeria’s second-highest honor, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award. His visit to Nigeria laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation in sectors like trade, security, and energy. Following Nigeria, Modi continued his diplomatic journey in Brazil to attend the G20 Summit.
Also read: Trump’s Victory: Opportunities and Risks for India’s Economy and Markets
Warm welcome from the Indian diaspora.
The Indian diaspora warmly welcomed Prime Minister Modi upon his arrival in Brazil. The cultural reception included vibrant displays of traditional Garba dances, patriotic renditions of “Vande Mataram” by children, Vedic chants, and chanting of “Jai Shree Krishna.” Modi expressed his gratitude for the enthusiastic welcome, appreciating the cultural richness and vibrant traditions of the Indian community in Brazil. Brazilian officials met him at the start of his participation in the G20 Summit, followed by a series of high-profile diplomatic meetings.
PM Modi’s address at the G20 Summit
At the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Modi delivered an impactful address at a session titled ‘Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty.’ In his speech, Modi highlighted the theme of the Indian presidency, “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” emphasizing its relevance in addressing the current global challenges. He stressed the devastating impact of the food, fuel, and fertilizer crisis on the Global South, urging the G20 to prioritize solutions. Modi cited India’s domestic success in lifting 250 million people out of poverty in the last decade and noted that India is providing free food grains to 800 million people.
Additionally, Modi showcased India’s commitment to enhancing global food security, highlighting India’s role in supporting countries across Africa and beyond through food aid. The Prime Minister also spoke about India’s innovations in agriculture, including the development of over 2,000 climate-resilient crop varieties and the launch of the Digital Agriculture Mission. He stressed that India’s agricultural policies are focused not just on food security but also on improving nutritional outcomes for its population.
Bilateral meetings with global leaders
On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi held several bilateral meetings with world leaders, aiming to strengthen India’s global partnerships and collaborate on key areas such as trade, defense, technology, and climate change. Notable meetings included:
US President Joe Biden: Modi met with President Biden, their first exchange since the recent US presidential election. Modi expressed his pleasure at meeting Biden, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and the United States.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: In talks with President Lula, the leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as energy, biofuels, defense, and agriculture, reaffirming India’s commitment to a robust partnership with Brazil.
French President Emmanuel Macron: Modi’s conversation with President Macron highlighted their continued collaboration in sectors like space exploration, defense, and civil nuclear energy. They also discussed emerging areas such as artificial intelligence and deepened their shared vision for a greener, more sustainable future.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer: In a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, Modi emphasized India’s readiness to work closely with the UK in sectors like technology, green energy, and innovation. Both leaders expressed their commitment to revitalizing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, with Starmer announcing the relaunch of talks in the coming year.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre: Modi and Støre discussed strengthening India-Norway cooperation in renewable energy, green hydrogen, and carbon capture technologies. They also emphasized sustainable maritime collaborations.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro: The leaders discussed enhancing bilateral ties and looked forward to marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Portugal in 2025.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: In his meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the two leaders launched a new Renewable Energy Partnership, marking a significant milestone in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: During his interaction with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the two leaders discussed defense, trade, and cultural exchanges, unveiling a five-year strategic action plan for cooperation in clean energy and defense.
Spanish President Pedro Sánchez : Modi’s discussions with his Spanish counterpart highlighted India’s expanding global influence in key sectors such as trade, technology, economic collaboration, and strengthening bilateral ties.
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto: During his meeting with Indonesia’s newly elected President Prabowo Subianto, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, with a particular focus on trade, defense, tourism, and connectivity.
Overall, Prime Minister Modi’s meetings at the G20 Summit reflected India’s proactive stance on global diplomacy. In his interactions with leaders from Italy, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Spain, and Australia, Modi focused on enhancing defense ties, expanding trade, and accelerating green initiatives.
Modi’s visit to Guyana
Prime Minister Modi’s tour also included a visit to Guyana, marking the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Caribbean nation in over fifty years. This visit, scheduled until November 21, is invited by Guyanese President Mohamed Irfaan Ali. As part of his outreach to the Caribbean, Modi is expected to attend the India-CARICOM Summit, where he will be honored with the Commonwealth of Dominica’s highest award, the Dominica Award of Honour.
India’s growing global influence
Prime Minister Modi’s active participation in the G20 Summit and his diplomatic engagements with world leaders underscore India’s rising stature on the global stage. Through strategic dialogues with countries ranging from Brazil to the United States and France, Modi is positioning India as a pivotal player in addressing global challenges such as climate change, food security, and economic stability. The discussions and agreements made during these meetings, including commitments to green energy, defense cooperation, and sustainable development, highlight India’s multifaceted foreign policy approach.
India is not only advancing its own interests but is also contributing to global initiatives, particularly in climate action, technology, and trade. India’s expanding partnerships with both emerging economies and developed nations reflect its growing influence. As the global landscape continues to evolve, Prime Minister Modi’s diplomatic efforts are laying the foundation for India to play a crucial role in shaping a more inclusive and sustainable world order.
Modi’s strategic diplomacy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation in the G20 Summit in Brazil and his subsequent diplomatic outreach to countries across the globe signal India’s unwavering commitment to fostering international cooperation. Whether it is through addressing the urgent issues of hunger and poverty or strengthening ties with key global players like the United States, China, France, and the United Kingdom, Modi’s leadership is shaping India’s role as a critical global partner. A vision of mutual growth and sustainable development across nations supports India’s foreign policy agenda, which will continue to expand with his upcoming visit to Guyana.
