Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his trip to South Africa to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg with a formal greeting. His tour began vibrantly at the airport, where he was welcomed with a cultural show that included traditional South African musicians and dancers.
He was greeted with great enthusiasm by members of the Indian diaspora, many of whom waved the Indian flag and expressed satisfaction in seeing the Prime Minister arrive.
Actress and producer Tarina Patel from South Africa was among those who greeted him and said she was happy to see the Indian leader.
The strong cultural ties between India and the Indian-origin community in South Africa are reflected in her statement that she was a proud Gujarati and that she had missed his previous visit in 2023. The occasion highlighted the Indian diaspora’s emotional and cultural ties to their native country.
Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, revealed on social media that Prime Minister Modi had arrived in Pretoria to a cordial and formal welcome.
He mentioned that the Prime Minister’s formal schedule for the G20 Summit in Johannesburg included a number of important meetings. The visit reinforces India’s diplomatic priorities throughout the Global South and signifies New Delhi’s ongoing engagement with African partners.
The G20 Summit in 2025, which is set for November 21–23, is significant since it will be the first to be held on the African continent. India sees the summit as a chance to promote issues important to developing economies and deepen collaboration with African countries.
Sustainable growth, debt restructuring, digital transformation, and global governance reforms are anticipated to dominate conversations. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi is anticipated to emphasise India’s advocacy for fair access to technology and inclusive global development.
After travelling to South Africa for bilateral and BRICS-related summits in 2016, 2018, and 2023, this is Modi’s fourth official visit to the country. His attendance highlights the close ties between South Africa and India as well as their mutual dedication to advancing South-South cooperation.
The visit also honours the long-standing solidarity between the two peoples and the historical ties between the two countries, which are based on the legacy of Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa.
Following Indonesia’s presidency in 2022, India’s in 2023, and Brazil’s in 2024, the current summit carries on the trend of the Global South shaping G20 leadership. This sequence, which is hosted by South Africa, highlights the increasing impact of developing economies on international decision-making.
Such collaboration is becoming more and more important as nations confront growing issues related to energy availability, climate change, and geopolitical instability.
The G20 is still a crucial forum for promoting development-oriented policies that appeal to the Global South, according to Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs.
He emphasised that the forum has continued to place a strong emphasis on social fairness, digital innovation, inclusivity, and the energy transition under the presidents of Brazil and South Africa.
Dalela highlighted that India is happy to witness the continuation of numerous programs that were started during its presidency in 2023, especially those that support digital public infrastructure and sustainable growth.
We went on to say that South Africa’s G20 presidency has been organised around four major verticals, each of which deals with matters essential to the advancement of emerging economies as a whole. Long-term discussions have yielded significant results in areas including digital governance, human capital investment, and climate resilience.
The G20 is still evolving as a voice for justice and development, as evidenced by the conversations that have encouraged discussion on topics that directly impact vulnerable groups.
The African Union’s participation as a full and permanent member of the G20 is a noteworthy feature of this year’s summit. Formalised during India’s presidency in 2023, this inclusion is a significant step towards enhancing balance and participation in international economic institutions.
Membership in the African Union guarantees African countries a stronger voice in determining the global development agenda and an equal seat at the decision-making table.
Prime Minister Modi’s attendance in Johannesburg demonstrates India’s steadfast support of the Global South and its focus on group advancement via multilateral collaboration.
The visit underscores India’s commitment to making sure that developing countries continue to be at the forefront of international economic discussions, particularly when it comes to topics like fair trade practices, digital access, and green energy transitions.
Modi’s interactions with foreign leaders during the summit are anticipated to strengthen India’s standing as a proactive advocate for sustainable growth and inclusive global governance.
According to the ANI Report