India at the G20 Summit in South Africa: A Renewed Call for Global Solidarity and Inclusive Growth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Johannesburg for the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit marks a significant moment in contemporary global diplomacy. For the first time since the G20 was founded, the Summit is being hosted on African soil — a powerful symbol of the shifting geopolitical landscape. South Africa’s presidency has emphasised the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability,” capturing the aspirations of the Global South and the pressing need to reshape international systems to be more inclusive and equitable.

As he departed for the Summit, PM Modi highlighted the importance of Africa as a partner in global development and recalled India’s role in championing the African Union’s entry into the G20 during India’s own presidency. His message was clear: India intends to walk side by side with the Global South, ensuring that major forums reflect the will and welfare of developing nations. The Johannesburg Summit, therefore, represents not only Africa’s moment of pride but also India’s continued commitment to multilateral reforms.

PM Modi with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese in Johannesburg.Image Source : Screengrab from PM's YT handle | India TV News

South Africa’s Vision: Reforming Global Structures

Under President Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa has set forth an agenda focused on correcting long-standing imbalances in global governance. From reforming the United Nations Security Council to updating international financial systems, South Africa aims to bring the voices of historically underrepresented regions to the negotiating table. The country’s approach is deeply rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu — the belief that humanity is interconnected and progress is impossible when vast segments of the world remain marginalised.

This sentiment has shaped the Summit’s structure. The sessions focus on inclusive economic growth, building a climate-resilient world, and creating a fair future anchored in emerging technologies, critical mineral partnerships, and the global workforce. Initiatives such as the launch of a G20 task force on global wealth inequality, chaired by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz, reinforce the urgency to address structural disparities. South Africa has also strengthened civil society participation by hosting a G20 Social Summit, ensuring youth, women, grassroots communities, and disabled groups have a voice in global policymaking.

India’s Stand: One Earth, One Family, One Future

PM Modi’s agenda at the Summit reflects India’s diplomatic principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world as one family. India has positioned itself as a bridge between the developed and developing worlds, advocating for inclusive development, climate justice, and the restructuring of financial frameworks to support vulnerable nations. Modiji’s participation in all major G20 sessions underscores India’s desire to shape the global conversation at a time when economic instability, climate challenges, and technological disruptions demand coordinated responses.

India sees the Summit as an opportunity to extend the momentum of its successful 2023 presidency. Its priorities include sustainable development financing, resilient supply chains, just energy transitions, and responsible governance of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Modiji’s involvement in the IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) leaders’ meeting further strengthens trilateral cooperation among key Global South democracies, while his interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Africa serves as a reminder of the strong cultural and socio-economic ties binding the two nations.

Global Tensions and External Pressures

Despite the spirit of solidarity, the Summit is unfolding against a backdrop of geopolitical friction. The G20 finance ministers’ meeting earlier in the year failed to produce a joint communique, highlighting deep divisions among major powers. Adding to the controversy, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced that U.S. officials would not attend the Johannesburg meeting, citing alleged human rights concerns in South Africa. This development introduced an unusual diplomatic rift and raised questions about how Western participation — or the lack of it — could affect the Summit’s outcomes.

Nevertheless, the broader Global South participation remains strong, and South Africa’s presidency has received widespread support. The push for reforms in global governance, financial institutions, and climate financing is resonating across continents, making the Summit a crucial moment for collective decision-making.

The MGMM Outlook

India’s participation at the G20 Summit in South Africa represents a pivotal moment for both global governance and the rise of the Global South. With the Summit taking place on African soil for the first time, India views this as a historic shift in international diplomacy — a recognition that emerging nations now deserve a central role in shaping global priorities. South Africa’s theme of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability” aligns closely with India’s belief in inclusive growth and fairer global systems. From championing the African Union’s membership in the G20 to advocating structural reforms in the UN and international financial institutions, India sees this gathering as an affirmation of its long-standing commitment to elevating marginalised voices. The Summit’s emphasis on climate resilience, wealth inequality, technological cooperation and civil society participation resonates strongly with India’s vision of rebalancing an unequal world order.

India uses the platform not only to extend the momentum of its successful 2023 presidency but also to reinforce its guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam — the world as one family. At a time of geopolitical disruptions, economic instability and climate urgency, India positions itself as a bridge-builder offering stability, consensus, and moral leadership. By engaging in key G20 sessions, strengthening IBSA cooperation, and highlighting responsible governance of emerging technologies, India demonstrates a proactive approach to shaping the global future. While external tensions — such as U.S. political controversies — cast a shadow over the Summit, the broader unity of the Global South and the shared moral frameworks of Ubuntu and Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam create a strong foundation for renewed global cooperation. From our viewpoint, Johannesburg stands as a defining moment where India reinforces its role as a trusted leader committed to fairness, reform, and collective progress.

(Sources: Firstpost, India TV News, NDTV)