Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged in a significant bilateral meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Sunday, marking a key moment in India's diplomatic agenda during the G20 Summit 2025. This crucial discussion occurred on the sidelines of the global leaders' gathering, which is being hosted for the first time on African soil.
Warm Exchanges and Substantive Discussions
The G20 Leaders' Summit 2025 commenced on Friday with the theme "Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability" guiding proceedings. President Ramaphosa had previously greeted PM Modi with a warm 'namaste' upon his arrival at the summit venue on Saturday, symbolizing the strong relationship between their nations.
During their bilateral meeting, both leaders explored ways to strengthen the historical ties between India and South Africa. This interaction was part of PM Modi's extensive diplomatic schedule that included meetings with numerous world leaders throughout the summit.
India's Global Development Vision
In the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting, Prime Minister Modi called for a comprehensive reappraisal of global development frameworks. He put forward several substantial proposals, including launching a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and establishing a global healthcare response unit.
Through his social media platform X, PM Modi emphasized that the second session focused on "building a resilient world in the face of disasters, climate change and ensuring energy transitions that are just as well as robust food systems." He highlighted India's active work on these fronts, pursuing a human-centric and inclusive development path that aligns with global efforts to enhance resilience against emerging challenges.
Comprehensive Diplomatic Outreach
Prime Minister Modi's diplomatic engagements extended across multiple global partnerships. He held substantive discussions with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, noting that "this year has brought new energy to the India UK partnership" and committing to drive it forward across numerous domains.
Other significant meetings included:
- French President Emmanuel Macron: An engaging exchange on various issues, with PM Modi noting that India-France ties remain a force for global good.
- South Korean President Lee Jae-myung: Their second meeting this year focused on expanding economic and investment collaboration under their Special Strategic Partnership.
- Brazilian President Lula da Silva: Both leaders committed to enhancing trade and cultural linkages for mutual benefit.
- Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim: A great exchange of views aimed at diversifying bilateral cooperation.
- UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres: A very productive discussion on global matters.
Prior to the main G20 proceedings, the Prime Minister also interacted with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other leaders, demonstrating India's active and multifaceted diplomatic engagement on the world stage.
