PM Modi met Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and world leaders at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday. He embraced Brazilian President Lula da Silva during the event.
Following this, Modi delivered a speech in the summit's first session, presenting India's perspective on global challenges. He urged the world to rethink the parameters of the old development model. He said:
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While the G20 may have shaped the world economy, the parameters of today's global development model have deprived large populations of resources and encouraged the exploitation of nature. African countries are particularly affected by this impact.
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On the other hand, US President Trump is not attending the summit. African President Ramaphosa stated that he would have to hand over the presidency to an "empty chair." According to Reuters, the South African presidency has rejected the offer to hand over the hosting to a US official.
The United States is scheduled to assume the G20 presidency in 2026, but no American official has attended. Trump had stated in the last session that he would send an American official to take over the hosting.
Why is the G20 Summit special for India?
This year's G20 Summit, being held in South Africa, is special for India because, during its presidency in 2023, India secured the African Union's membership in the G20.
This is the first time the summit is being held in Africa. This has increased India's respect in all African countries. When PM Modi arrived in Africa on Friday, local artists welcomed him by prostrating themselves on the ground in his honor.
In the absence of Trump, Putin, and Xi Jinping, India has become the most prominent face of the summit. PM Modi will present India's views on issues such as economic development, climate resilience, and artificial intelligence in all three key sessions of the summit.
This summit will prove to be a major platform for India to strongly present its leadership in the Global South and the voice of developing countries.
South Africa rejects proposal to hand over the hosting to a US official
The US will host the G20 in 2026, and Ramaphosa said he would have to hand over the presidency to an "empty chair."
According to Reuters, the South African presidency has rejected the US proposal to send an official to hand over the G20 hosting.
The US is scheduled to hold the G20 presidency in 2026, but neither the US President nor any official has attended. Trump had stated in the last session that he would send a US official to take over the hosting.
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