Prime Minister Narendra Modi is embarking on a significant diplomatic journey to Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit from November 21 to 23. This visit, announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Secretary (ER) Sudhakar Dalela, marks a pivotal moment for global cooperation hosted on African soil for the very first time.
A Landmark Summit and Bilateral Engagements
This will be Prime Minister Modi's fourth official visit to South Africa, underscoring the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. The invitation was extended by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Beyond the main summit events, PM Modi's schedule is packed with high-level engagements. He will attend the IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) leaders' meeting and is expected to hold numerous bilateral discussions on the sidelines, further strengthening India's diplomatic partnerships.
Continuity of India's G20 Legacy
The summit holds profound significance for India. Following its highly successful G20 presidency in 2023, India aims to ensure the continuity of the priorities it championed. A landmark achievement during India's presidency was the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of the G20. Secretary Dalela emphasized that South Africa is now carrying forward key initiatives launched by India, particularly in the areas of disaster risk reduction and food security dialogues.
South Africa's G20 Agenda: Key Focus Areas
South Africa, as the host, has outlined a robust agenda for the summit, focusing on critical global challenges. The key priorities include:
- Building disaster resilience to help nations better prepare for and respond to natural calamities.
- Achieving debt sustainability for low-income countries, a crucial step for economic stability.
- Financing a just energy transition to a greener future while ensuring fairness for all economies.
- Leveraging critical minerals to drive inclusive and sustainable development.
This agenda reflects a shared commitment to addressing pressing issues that affect the Global South and the world at large, with India playing a central role in shaping the outcomes.
