Prime Minister Modi Outlines Key Proposals at G20 Summit

Leaders from around the globe convened in Johannesburg on 23 November 2025 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, which was hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India arrived in Johannesburg a day prior and engaged in a series of bilateral discussions, including a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

PM Modi's Six-Point Agenda

During the summit sessions, Prime Minister Modi outlined six significant initiatives aimed at addressing pressing global issues. His first proposal advocated for immediate action against drug trafficking through a G20 Initiative focused on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus. He further suggested the establishment of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, composed of trained medical professionals from member nations, prepared to respond during health emergencies.

In a bid to support the development of Africa, Modi proposed a G20 Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative aimed at enhancing workforce readiness for the future. Other notable proposals included the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, and a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative designed to enhance sustainability and value within the minerals sector.

AI Governance and Global Collaboration

In a session titled “A Fair and Just Future for All - Critical Minerals; Decent Work; Artificial Intelligence,” Prime Minister Modi called for nations to collaborate on a global compact for Artificial Intelligence. He stressed the importance of ensuring that AI technology remains human-centric, transparent, and accountable, highlighting the need to mitigate risks associated with its misuse, particularly regarding deepfakes, crime, and terrorism. According to a report by the Press Trust of India, Modi asserted, "AI systems impacting public trust should be auditable and accountable, with final decision-making resting with humans."

He also advocated for the establishment of a global framework to facilitate talent mobility, preparing nations for the 'Capabilities of Tomorrow'.

Reforming the UN Security Council

On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi addressed the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Summit, emphasising that reforming the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is a necessity rather than an option. He urged the IBSA coalition to deliver a strong message advocating for equitable global governance, as reported separately by the Press Trust of India.

Modi proposed institutionalising a meeting for National Security Advisors within the IBSA framework, creating an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance, and establishing an IBSA Fund dedicated to Climate-Resilient Agriculture. He underscored the potential for collaboration in areas such as digital public infrastructure, green energy, natural farming, disaster resilience, and traditional medicine.

Describing IBSA as a bridge connecting three continents and major democracies, Modi extended an invitation to global leaders to participate in India’s AI Impact Summit scheduled for next year, expressing confidence that the group could help establish norms for safe and trustworthy AI.