November 20, 2025
The summit, under the auspices of the South African presidency, aligns closely with the agenda set during India’s earlier G20 term
India’s external affairs ministry emphasised that key themes such as food security, disaster risk management and digital public infrastructure remain central in the Johannesburg discussions
India sees this as an opportunity to reinforce its diplomatic capital, advocate for Global South priorities and deepen its engagement on multilateral platforms
s the summit unfolds, attention will be on how India leverages these forums to steer outcomes favourable to its long-term global ambitions and regional identity
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-day visit to South Africa, arriving in Johannesburg to attend the historic G20 Summit, the first of its kind to be hosted on African soil. In his departure statement, the Prime Minister affirmed that India will articulate its global vision under the guiding principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one family) and the theme “One Earth, One Family, One Future”.
The summit, under the auspices of the South African presidency, aligns closely with the agenda set during India’s earlier G20 term. India’s external affairs ministry emphasised that key themes such as food security, disaster risk management and digital public infrastructure remain central in the Johannesburg discussions. The meeting also sees India participating in the sixth IBSA Dialogue Forum Summit (comprising India, Brazil and South Africa) which is coinciding with the G20 schedule and provides an opportune platform for South-South cooperation on strategic issues.
However, the summit is marked by noticeable absences: both Donald Trump of the United States and Xi Jinping of China are not attending, casting a spotlight on the representation and direction of global economic governance at the event. Notwithstanding these sign-offs, India sees this as an opportunity to reinforce its diplomatic capital, advocate for Global South priorities and deepen its engagement on multilateral platforms.
The emphasis on continuity in agenda from the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, especially around women-led development, renewable energy acceleration, and the digital economy, signals India’s commitment to shaping the agenda of emerging-economy frameworks. As the summit unfolds, attention will be on how India leverages these forums to steer outcomes favourable to its long-term global ambitions and regional identity.
Source: Times of India