On November 21, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi travelled to Johannesburg to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, which is being held in Africa for the first time.
PM Modi met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for the first time on the margins of the summit.
Since their partnership was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020, both leaders expressed pleasure with the expansion and diversification of India-Australia collaboration.
The bond between Australia and India is “very strong,” according to Australian Prime Minister Albanese, who also stated that he believes the two nations’ economic ties have a great deal of room to grow.
Additionally, he expressed his condolences for the recent terrorist assault in Delhi and the unfortunate bus accident in Saudi Arabia that killed several Indian pilgrims performing Umrah. Both leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation in these areas and emphasised the significance of defence and security partnerships going forward.
The 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue, which was co-chaired by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, was held in New Delhi the day before this conference.
Under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’s several pillars—trade, investment, defence, education, research and technology, space, energy, and people-to-people ties—the discussion examined wide bilateral cooperation and advancement.
A common commitment to a free, open, safe, and prosperous Indo-Pacific area was reaffirmed during the discussion of regional and global concerns, including developments in the Indo-Pacific. During the tour, Penny Wong also got to know Ajit Doval, the National Security Advisor for India.
PM Modi saw cultural performances by the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Johannesburg, including a Tamil version of the Girmitiya song “Ganga Maiya” from South Africa. Despite generations of struggles, he commended the diaspora for maintaining the cultural ties to India via songs and prayers.
The prime minister emphasised the long-lasting ties between South Africa and India, which are strengthened by their common history and ideals.
Additionally, PM Modi discussed the significance of South Africa’s G20 Summit theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” which builds on the outcomes of earlier summits in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and New Delhi, India.
He stressed the idea of “One earth, One Family and One future” as well as India’s vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world as one family). The summit provides a chance to interact with leaders from partner nations and discuss important global concerns.
On the fringes of the G20, PM Modi is also expected to attend the 6th IBSA Summit.
PM Modi and PM Albanese’s meeting reaffirmed how strong India-Australia ties are, especially in the areas of economics, military, and security. During the G20 framework, both parties are dedicated to strengthening collaboration in key areas while working together to address more general regional and global concerns. The
