PM Modi Departs for South Africa to Attend G20 Summit

New Delhi, Nov 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday departed for Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, terming it a “particularly special” occasion as it marks the first time the summit is being held on African soil. In his departure statement, he highlighted India’s continued commitment to the Global South and its belief in collective solutions to global challenges.

“I am visiting the Republic of South Africa from 21–23 November 2025, at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit being held in Johannesburg under South Africa’s Presidency. This will be a particularly special Summit given that it would be the first G20 Summit being held in Africa. During India’s Presidency of the G20 in 2023, the African Union had become a member of the G20.

The Summit will be an opportunity to discuss key global issues. The theme of this year’s G20 has been ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’, by which South Africa has carried forward the outcomes from the previous Summits held in New Delhi, India and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 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.’ I look forward to my interactions with leaders of the partner countries, and participation in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled on the sidelines of the Summit. During the visit, I also look forward to my interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, which is one of the largest outside India.”

The Johannesburg Summit comes at a crucial time for the developing world. It is the fourth consecutive G20 hosted by a developing nation: Indonesia, India, Brazil and now South Africa. Next year, the baton will pass to the United States, making this summit a critical moment for securing deliverables for the Global South, particularly Africa.

With the U.S. President not attending the meeting, a further sign of Washington’s limited engagement, expectations from India and other countries are high. PM Modi’s presence contrasts sharply with the U.S. absence, reinforcing India’s image as a reliable voice for the developing world. International reports note that the United States will be represented only by the deputy chief of mission from its embassy in South Africa.

Analysts observe that India’s presidency in 2023 still shapes the current agenda. South Africa has drawn heavily from New Delhi’s outcomes, adopting the theme “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” an extension of India’s core idea of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”

New Delhi is increasingly positioned not just as a participant, but as a mediator and bridge-builder between developed economies and emerging nations. As the world faces geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, India’s emphasis on cooperation over confrontation continues to resonate. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged all member nations to uphold multilateralism and international law as essential pillars to solving global crises. His remarks have gained significance amid the absence of senior U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who have opted not to attend key G20 meetings.

As PM Modi arrives in Johannesburg, India is seen as carrying forward the aspirations of the Global South. Its voice, shaped by “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” remains central to the G20’s search for common purpose.