Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday as he arrived at Nasrec, Johannesburg, to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit scheduled for November 22–23. Modi joins several world leaders attending the high-level gathering, marking the first G20 Summit to be held on African soil.
Soon after landing in Johannesburg on Friday afternoon (local time), Modi said he was looking forward to “productive discussions” with global leaders on issues of shared concern. In a message posted on X, he stated that India’s focus at the summit would be on strengthening cooperation, advancing development priorities, and ensuring a better future for all.
On the sidelines of the summit, the Prime Minister is expected to hold several bilateral meetings with attending leaders. On Friday, he held a bilateral discussion with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during which the two leaders reviewed the progress in the India–Australia partnership and discussed areas for deeper engagement.
Modi described the meeting on X as “very good,” noting that India and Australia are marking five years of their strategic partnership. He highlighted three key sectors with strong potential for expanded cooperation, defence and security, nuclear energy, and trade. Both leaders also discussed areas such as education and cultural exchanges.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two leaders expressed satisfaction over the growing scope of cooperation between India and Australia, particularly following the elevation of ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020. Albanese conveyed solidarity with India over the recent terror attack in the country, and both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying the global fight against terrorism.
Their talks covered a wide spectrum of issues, including political and strategic engagement, defence collaboration, energy cooperation, trade and investment, critical minerals, technology, mobility, education, and people-to-people linkages. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global developments.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Johannesburg marks his fourth official visit to South Africa, following his 2016 bilateral visit and his participation in the BRICS Summits in 2018 and 2023. This year’s G20 Summit marks the fourth consecutive summit hosted in the Global South, with South Africa carrying forward the outcomes of previous summits held in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro.
In a departure statement issued before leaving for Johannesburg, Modi described the summit as a significant occasion, particularly after the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent G20 member during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023. He noted that the theme of this year’s summit, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”, builds on the collective vision of recent G20 deliberations.
Modi said he will present India’s perspective in line with the country’s guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and the global vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
