PM Modi departs for South Africa to attend first-ever G20 Summit hosted on African soil

PM Modi attends the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, focusing on sustainability, equality, and India’s Global South agenda

November 21, 2025

PM Modi attends G20 Summit in South Africa: sessions, agenda, key highlights

PM Modi sets stage for key global discussions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday embarked on a three-day visit to South Africa to participate in the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, marking the first time the high-level forum is being hosted on the African continent.

Before leaving New Delhi, the Prime Minister affirmed that he would present India’s perspective in line with its guiding philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

“This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders,” PM Modi posted on X.

Key meetings and IBSA engagement

During the visit, PM Modi will hold bilateral meetings with several leaders attending the summit. He is also scheduled to participate in the 6th IBSA Summit, comprising India, Brazil and South Africa.

Modi is travelling to Johannesburg from November 22–23 at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is hosting the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit under South Africa’s presidency.

Focus on Africa and Global South

Highlighting the significance of the moment, the Prime Minister noted that the G20 is returning to the Global South for the fourth consecutive year.

He recalled that under India’s 2023 presidency, the African Union was inducted as a permanent member of the group.

“This will be a particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa,” he said.

South Africa’s G20 theme — “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability” — builds on the outcomes of recent summits in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro.

Agenda for the G20 sessions

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said PM Modi will speak in all three sessions of the summit, which include:

Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth: Leaving No One Behind
— trade, development financing, debt distress.
A Resilient World – the G20’s Contribution
— disaster risk reduction, climate change, food systems, energy transitions.
A Fair and Just Future for All
— critical minerals, AI governance, decent work.

A senior MEA official added that issues central to India and the Global South would be strongly emphasised.

Outreach to Indian diaspora

PM Modi also said he looked forward to interacting with the Indian community in South Africa, calling it one of the largest diaspora groups globally.

The G20 represents around 85% of global GDP, 75% of world trade, and two-thirds of the global population. Its members include 19 major economies, the European Union and the African Union.

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