PM in South Africa for G20, to Present ‘One Future’ Vision

Context:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, marking a historic moment as the first G20 Summit held on the African continent.

• India aims to advance its civilisational and development-centric vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’, reinforcing inclusive global governance.

Key Highlights:

India’s Vision & Diplomatic Messaging

• PM Modi will present India’s ‘One Future’ vision, rooted in:

  • Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam

  • Collective responsibility for global development, sustainability, and equity

• Aligns with the G20 theme: ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability’.

Africa-Centric Milestones

• First-ever G20 Summit in Africa, symbolising the Global South’s rising voice.

• African Union became a permanent G20 member during India’s G20 Presidency in 2023, a landmark reform in multilateralism.

• South Africa assumed G20 Presidency in December 2024, prioritising Africa-focused development challenges.

Summit Agenda & Priority Areas

• Strengthening disaster resilience

• Addressing debt sustainability of low-income and developing countries

• Mobilising finance for a just energy transition

• Leveraging critical minerals for inclusive and sustainable growth

• Reviewing outcomes of the first G20 work cycle

• Addressing the high cost of capital faced by developing economies

Bilateral & Multilateral Engagements

• PM Modi expected to hold bilateral meetings, including with Japan’s new PM Sanae Takaichi.

• Participation in the 6th IBSA (India–Brazil–South Africa) Summit, strengthening South–South cooperation among major democracies of the Global South.

Relevant Prelims Points:

• Issue: Reforming global governance to reflect contemporary realities.

• Key Forums:

  • G20: Platform of major developed and developing economies

  • IBSA: Trilateral cooperation forum among India, Brazil, and South Africa

• Key Concepts:

  • Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam: “The world is one family”

  • African Union: Permanent G20 member since 2023

• Impact:

  • Enhanced representation of Africa and Global South in global decision-making

Relevant Mains Points:

• International Relations Dimension:

  • India positions itself as a bridge between the Global North and Global South.

  • Africa’s inclusion strengthens the legitimacy and representativeness of the G20.

• Governance & Multilateral Reform:

  • Permanent inclusion of AU reflects democratisation of global institutions.

  • Focus on debt relief and cost of capital addresses structural inequities in global finance.

• Economic Perspective:

  • Critical minerals cooperation supports energy transition and industrial growth.

  • Emphasis on just transition aligns climate action with development needs.

• Strategic & Diplomatic Significance:

  • IBSA reinforces South–South cooperation outside traditional power blocs.

  • India’s civilisational ethos strengthens its soft power diplomacy.

• Way Forward:

  • Translate summit declarations into actionable financing mechanisms

  • Deepen India–Africa economic and technological partnerships

  • Sustain Global South consensus on reforming multilateral institutions

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

• GS 2: International Relations, Multilateral Institutions, Global Governance

• GS 2: Polity – India’s foreign policy principles

• Prelims: G20, African Union, IBSA, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam