Prime Minister Narendra Modi will highlight India’s serious concern over terrorism as well as the issues concerning the Global South at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg during his three-day visit beginning Friday.
Besides meeting Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s new Prime Minister, he will hold bilateral meetings with many global leaders on the margins of the summit, senior Ministry of External Affairs officials said at a media briefing ahead of the PM’s visit.
Responding to a question on whether the Prime Minister will be making a statement on terrorism in the G20 summit, MEA Secretary of Economic Relations Sudhakar Dalela while addressing a special press briefing ahead of the visit of the PM, said, “This is a very important subject for us, but G20 is a forum where economic issues and related matters are discussed.”
“And as we speak, we are discussing the declaration for the summit. Our colleagues and teams are in Johannesburg, and all such issues are being discussed. So I will not try to prejudge what will come in the declaration, but all important matters that are relevant from our and the global south perspective, will be highlighted by our leadership,” he said.
Dalela further said that on the margins of G20, the PM will also be participating in IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) leaders meeting as well as holding bilateral meetings with several leaders who will be present in Johannesburg.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Johannesburg, South Africa from 21st to 23rd November to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit, at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. This will be the Prime Minister’s 4th official visit to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and later for the two BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023.
“It is the first G20 summit to take place on African soil… The summit will be important for India for the continuity of its priorities after having hosted a successful presidency in 2023,” he said.
The Summit is being hosted by the Republic of South Africa. This will be the fourth consecutive G20 Summit held in the Global South.
At the Summit, PM Modi will put forth India’s perspectives on the G20 agenda.
The Prime Minister is expected to speak in all the three sessions of the Summit. These sessions are on Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth Leaving No One Behind : Building our economies; the role of trade; financing for development and the debt burden; A Resilient World – the G20’s Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction; Climate Change; Just Energy Transitions; Food Systems and A Fair and a Just Future for All: Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence.