During his stay in Johannesburg, the Prime Minister will also attend the sixth IBSA Summit on the sidelines of the G20.With India’s focus on strengthening global partnerships, development priorities, climate resilience and technological governance, Modi began his visit with a bilateral meeting with Australian PM Anthony Albanese before heading into three key G20 sessions and the IBSA trilateral summit.
Modi’s Key Priorities, Meetings & Strategic Focus.
- Strengthening Global South Voice: Modi aims to push India’s “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” vision while advocating for fairer global systems, especially after the African Union’s inclusion in the G20 under India’s 2023 presidency.
- Sustainable Economic Growth: Discussions will focus on trade reforms, debt relief for developing nations, development financing and creating resilient economies that “leave no one behind.”
- Climate & Energy Transition: India plans to highlight disaster preparedness, food security, clean energy pathways and ensuring a just climate transition for developing countries.
- AI & Emerging Technologies: Modi is expected to emphasise global AI governance, ethical tech adoption and fair access to critical minerals needed for future technologies.
- Boosting Bilateral Ties: His meeting with Anthony Albanese included strategic cooperation areas and condolences shared by the Australian PM over recent tragedies involving Indian citizens.
- Engagement with Diaspora: Modi will meet members of the Indian-origin community — one of the largest outside India — reinforcing cultural and economic ties
Sessions, Summits & On-Ground Engagements
- Three High-Level G20 Sessions:Inclusive & Sustainable Growth — trade, development financing, debt vulnerabilities. A Resilient World — climate change, disaster risk reduction, just energy transitions. A Fair & Just Future — AI governance, future jobs, critical mineral frameworks
- IBSA Summit Participation: India, Brazil and South Africa will discuss cooperation on global governance, South-South partnership and joint development priorities.
- Diplomatic Outreach: Modi is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with world leaders present at Johannesburg.
- Symbolic Significance: This is the first G20 hosted in Africa, marking a major moment for representation and global leadership from the continent.
Modi’s Johannesburg visit marks a pivotal moment for India’s global diplomacy as it works to shape conversations on equitable growth, climate responsibility and technological fairness. With G20 and IBSA discussions ahead, India’s role in bridging developed and developing nations becomes even more central on the world stage.
