Johannesburg, South Africa – Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Johannesburg to participate in the G20 Leaders' Summit, marking the first time the summit is being held on African soil. The summit, scheduled from November 21 to 23, 2025, is expected to center around issues critical to the Global South, with South Africa's presidency emphasizing "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability" as its core theme.

Upon landing in Johannesburg on Friday, Prime Minister Modi was greeted with a ceremonial welcome, underscoring the importance of his visit and the strengthening ties between India and South Africa. The Prime Minister expressed his enthusiasm for productive discussions with world leaders, emphasizing India's commitment to strengthening cooperation, advancing development priorities, and ensuring a better future for all.

This visit marks Prime Minister Modi's fourth official trip to South Africa, following his bilateral visit in 2016 and attendance at the BRICS summits in 2018 and 2023. During his stay, he is also scheduled to attend the sixth IBSA Summit, a trilateral grouping of India, Brazil, and South Africa, held on the sidelines of the G20.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi articulated his intention to present India's perspective at the summit, aligned with the nation's vision of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam" – "One Earth, One Family, One Future". He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, one of the largest Indian communities outside India, reflecting the deep-rooted historical and cultural connections between the two nations.

South Africa's G20 presidency continues the trend of summits hosted by countries of the Global South, following presidencies held by Brazil (2024), India (2023), and Indonesia (2022). Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in the Ministry of External Affairs, highlighted the importance of the G20 as a forum for building consensus and launching collaborative initiatives, particularly on issues relevant to the Global South. He noted that South Africa has identified four priority verticals for its presidency, ensuring that discussions throughout the year remain focused on matters of significance to the Global South.

The G20, comprising major global economies, represents approximately 85% of the world's GDP and 75% of international trade. The summit's sessions will address crucial areas such as inclusive and sustainable economic growth, trade's role, development financing, and the debt burden, all under the overarching theme of "Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability".

Prime Minister Modi's presence at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg underscores India's commitment to fostering global cooperation, prioritizing the needs of the Global South, and working towards a more equitable and sustainable future for all.