Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a three-day visit to South Africa on Friday to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. The city serves as South Africa’s largest economic hub, and this is the fourth straight G20 summit hosted in the Global South.
The meeting carries the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”. Leaders will focus on cooperation, global challenges and stronger international partnerships. However, the United States will not attend. President Donald Trump announced a boycott after claiming discrimination against the Afrikaner white minority. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has chosen not to travel due to reduced overseas engagements.
PM Modi will speak in all three major sessions. He will highlight inclusive development, climate resilience and the future impact of artificial intelligence. Moreover, he plans to present India’s approach based on the principles of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “One Earth, One Family and One Future”.
Modi will also hold bilateral meetings with several leaders during the summit. Additionally, he will take part in the India-Brazil-South Africa Leaders’ Meeting. The event holds special value as it marks the first G20 summit hosted in Africa. India played a major role in bringing the African Union into the G20 during its presidency in 2023.
