Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday embarked on a three-day visit to Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit, scheduled from November 21 to 23. The visit is being closely watched as it marks India’s continued push to strengthen its global leadership role, especially after successfully hosting the G20 Summit in New Delhi in 2023. The G20’s theme is ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’ this year.

With global geopolitics shifting rapidly and economic recovery highlighted on the agenda, PM Modi’s presence is expected to amplify India’s voice on issues such as global economic stability, climate action, digital public infrastructure, and Global South cooperation. In his departure statement, he stated “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's statement on his X account

Diplomatic sources suggest that the Prime Minister will hold a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. He is also scheduled to attend the IBSA’s sixth summit. Engagements with key partners, including leaders from South Africa, the United States, Brazil, Japan, and the European Union, are expected to focus on strengthening trade relations, defence cooperation, technology collaboration, and investment opportunities.

India’s growing strategic partnership with African nations is also likely to be highlighted, especially as New Delhi deepens its presence in Africa through initiatives in energy, digitalisation, healthcare, and capacity building.

According to officials, PM Modi will participate in multiple high-level sessions with world leaders, including discussions focused on sustainable growth, global supply chains, financial reforms, and technology-driven development. He is also expected to speak on various issues in the three sessions of the Summit including the importance of inclusive economic growth, climate change and a sustainable future.

This year’s summit marks the fourth G20 meeting in a row to be hosted in the Global South. Before South Africa took the presidency for 2025, the grouping was led by Brazil in 2024, India in 2023, and Indonesia in 2022, reflecting a steady shift in global leadership toward emerging economies.

A major milestone came during the 2023 New Delhi G20 Summit, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally announced the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent member of the group. The move significantly broadened the forum’s global representation.

The G20 brings together the world’s most influential economies. Together, its members account for around 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and about two-thirds of the global population, according to the group’s official data.

The bloc includes Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the United Kingdom, the United States, along with the European Union and the African Union.

With Prime Minister Modi’s arrival in Johannesburg, expectations are high that India will play a pivotal role in shaping the outcomes of the G20 Summit. As global leaders gather to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the world economy, India’s strong and steady diplomatic approach is set to reinforce its position as a central voice in global governance.