Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in South Africa’s Johannesburg Friday evening for the G20 Leaders’ Summit and related engagements.
“Landed in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit related engagements. Look forward to productive discussions with world leaders on key global issues. Our focus will be on strengthening cooperation, advancing development priorities and ensuring a better future for all,” PM Modi posted on X soon after his arrival.
Modi will highlight India’s serious concern over terrorism as well as the issues concerning the Global South at the Summit.
Earlier in a statement in New Delhi ahead of his departure for South Africa, Modi said, “I look forward to my interactions with leaders of the partner countries and participation in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled on the sidelines of the Summit.”
He will also meet with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, one of the largest outside India.
The theme of this year’s summit is ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, aligning with India’s vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family) and ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.
“I will present India’s perspective at the Summit in line with our vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One earth, One Family and One future’,” PM Modi said.
“This will be a particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa. During India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023, the African Union had become a member of the G20,” he said.
The summit will focus on key global issues, including inclusive and sustainable economic growth, disaster risk reduction, climate change, and artificial intelligence. PM Modi is expected to speak in all three sessions of the summit, presenting India’s perspectives on these critical topics.
This visit marks PM Modi’s fourth official visit to South Africa, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. The G20 Summit will provide an opportunity for India to strengthen its relationships with other member countries and promote its vision for a more equitable and sustainable world order.