PM Modi Heads to South Africa for G20 Summit on Growth and AI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left for South Africa on Friday for a three-day visit, where he will attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic hub, is hosting the summit under the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” This is the fourth consecutive G20 summit held in the Global South.

This year, the summit is notable for the absence of leaders from the United States and China. The US President decided not to attend, citing concerns over alleged discrimination against South Africa’s Afrikaner white minority. Chinese President Xi Jinping is also skipping the summit, reducing his international travel commitments.

During the summit, PM Modi is scheduled to speak in all three sessions, focusing on inclusive economic growth, climate resilience, and artificial intelligence. He will present India’s perspective on global issues, including trade, financing for development, disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy transitions, food systems, critical minerals, and the future of work.

On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with several leaders and attend the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Meeting hosted by South Africa.

PM Modi highlighted the importance of the summit in his departure statement, calling it “particularly special” as the first G20 meeting hosted in Africa. He added that India’s vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “One Earth, One Family, One Future” will guide India’s contributions to the discussions.

India’s presidency of the G20 in 2023 was marked by a landmark achievement—the inclusion of the African Union as a G20 member. This summit continues that effort by strengthening Africa’s role in global economic and developmental discussions.

The three G20 sessions are organized around these key topics:

1. Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth: Building economies, trade, development financing, and debt issues.

2. A Resilient World: Disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy transitions, and food systems.

3. A Fair and Just Future: Critical minerals, decent work, and the role of artificial intelligence.

PM Modi’s participation in the summit underscores India’s continuing influence in global policymaking and its commitment to fostering cooperation among emerging economies and developing nations.