News Desk
JOHANNESBURG — Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg with a sweeping call for new forms of global cooperation, unveiling six initiatives that he said could help bridge divides between the Global South and established powers. His proposals — ranging from a repository of traditional knowledge to a plan targeting the drug‑terror nexus — were framed as India’s contribution to a world grappling with geopolitical fragmentation and economic uncertainty.
Modi’s agenda included the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository to preserve and share indigenous practices; an Africa Skills Multiplier program to expand training and employment opportunities across the continent; and a Global Healthcare Response Team designed to mobilize rapid medical support in crises. He also proposed a Satellite Data Partnership to give developing nations access to space‑based information for climate and disaster resilience, a Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to promote sustainable use of rare resources, and a plan to counter the drug‑terror nexus, linking security and public health.
The Indian leader cast these proposals as part of his vision of “Integral Humanism,” a philosophy he argued could guide collective action in an era of fractured politics and rising insecurity. “We must think not only of growth but of humanity’s shared future,” PM Modi said, positioning India as a bridge between regions and ideologies.
Hours after Modi’s address, G20 leaders adopted a joint declaration that underscored the urgency of unity. The text rejected the use of threats or force to alter internationally recognized borders, reaffirming sovereignty and territorial integrity under the UN Charter. It condemned terrorism “in all its forms and manifestations,” pledged stronger cooperation on food and energy security, and highlighted the vulnerabilities of Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries, many of which face crushing debt burdens and climate‑driven disasters.
The declaration commended South Africa’s Voluntary Energy Security Toolkit, designed to help nations build resilient energy systems, and urged greater political will to expand access to safe, nutritious food. Leaders acknowledged opportunities in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, while stressing equitable use for the public good. Other sections addressed climate action, anti‑corruption measures, whistleblower protections, and support for migrant workers and refugees.
The summit, hosted for the first time on African soil, was hailed by South African officials as a “great moment” for the continent. Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said the gathering symbolized Africa’s growing role in global governance. The unusual step of adopting the declaration at the start of the summit reflected the urgency of global instability — from armed conflicts to economic fragmentation.
Africa formally joined the G20 as a permanent member in September 2023, when the African Union (AU) was admitted during the New Delhi summit hosted by India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi championed the move, calling it a “defining moment for global equity” and pressing fellow leaders to recognize Africa’s collective voice in shaping international policy. Until then, the continent’s representation had been limited to South Africa as a single member, with the AU attending only as an invited organization. India’s push was widely credited with securing consensus, and the decision was hailed as a historic correction that gave Africa a permanent seat at the table of the world’s largest economies.
For India, the six initiatives offered a way to project leadership beyond its borders, positioning New Delhi as a champion of the Global South while also appealing to established powers. Modi’s proposals dovetailed with the summit’s emphasis on inclusivity and multilateralism, reinforcing India’s bid to be seen as a constructive force in reshaping global governance.
Despite objections raised by the United States, the declaration was adopted unanimously by the 21 members present, signalling a rare moment of consensus. Analysts noted that the early adoption of the text was intended to send a message of stability and resolve at a time when the rules of sovereignty and cooperation are under strain.
The combination of Modi’s ambitious proposals and the G20’s reaffirmation of sovereignty suggested a dual track: India seeking to expand its influence through concrete initiatives, and the G20 collectively trying to hold the line against unilateralism and territorial revisionism.
