PM Modi’s G20 Proposal: 3 Initiatives on Global Skills, Drug-Terror Nexus
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Prime Minister Narendra Modi successfully placed India’s agenda for global solutions at the heart of the G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Johannesburg. Amid a backdrop of geopolitical tension, marked by the US boycott, the Prime Minister not only proposed three transformative global initiatives but also reaffirmed India’s commitment to a human-centric future, resulting in the rapid adoption of a comprehensive Leaders’ Declaration.
The summit, hosted by South Africa under the theme of “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” was the first G20 gathering ever held on the African continent.
Part I: India’s Vision: The Call for a Global Reset
PM Modi used the G20 platform to call for a profound rethink of global development parameters, positioning India as a champion of the Global South.
- Philosophical Anchor: Modi presented India’s perspective in line with the civilizational values of ‘Integral Humanism’ and the vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (One Earth, One Family, One Future), urging nations to adopt models of growth that are inclusive and sustainable.
- Legacy of Leadership: This followed India’s highly successful G20 presidency (2022-2023), during which the African Union (AU) was inducted as a permanent member—a move that fundamentally transformed the forum into a broader, human-centric platform.
- The Broader Agenda: India strongly supported South Africa’s high-priority issues, including strengthening disaster resilience, securing debt sustainability for low-income countries, and mobilizing finance for a just energy transition.
Part II: PM Modi’s Three Transformative Global Proposals
In the session focused on “Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth – Leaving No One Behind,” PM Modi unveiled three key initiatives aimed at reshaping global cooperation:
1. G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative
- Objective: To empower Africa’s youth and secure the continent’s economic rise, seen as vital for global progress.
- Mechanism: An ambitious train-the-trainer model, jointly backed by G20 partners, with a target to create one million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade.
2. Dedicated Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus
- Objective: To combat the growing threat of transnational drug trafficking (especially potent substances like Fentanyl), which serves as a major funding source for terror groups.
- Action Plan: A proposed G20 framework to unify financial, governance, and security systems to dismantle trafficking networks and cut off illicit money flows.
3. Global Traditional Knowledge Repository
- Objective: To preserve and widely share time-tested models of sustainable living, health, environment, and social cohesion.
- Mechanism: Establishing a G20-led repository, leveraging India’s own Indian Knowledge Systems to document culturally grounded, eco-balanced practices worldwide.
Part III: Key Summit Outcomes and Geopolitical Context
Despite the absence of the U.S. President, the G20 leaders successfully pushed forward with a major declaration and tangible commitments:
- Declaration Adopted: The G20 Leaders’ Declaration was adopted early in the summit, successfully affirming the bloc’s focus on multilateralism and Global South issues despite the boycott.
- Climate Mandate: The Declaration specifically stressed the seriousness of climate change, a point seen as a strong collective affirmation against climate skepticism.
- Global Commitments: Leaders committed to:
- Accelerating the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
- Supporting the development of a legally binding international treaty to combat plastic pollution.
- Developing secure, interoperable, and trusted Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
- Working for a just, comprehensive, and lasting peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Sudan, and the DRC.
Diplomacy and Arrival
Here are highlights from the welcome yesterday in Johannesburg…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025
Looking forward to taking part in the G20 Summit proceedings today. pic.twitter.com/kLbR7Srmg3
PM Modi’s visit was also marked by personal diplomacy, including a warm exchange and light-hearted conversation with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and warm greetings with leaders like Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. His arrival was preceded by a vibrant cultural welcome from the Indian diaspora, showcasing the “Rhythms of a United India,” reinforcing the cultural ties between India and South Africa.
Samay’s Voice
The G20 Summit in Johannesburg was a tremendous success, solidifying India’s moral and strategic leadership on the global stage. The focus on ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and Africa’s empowerment through the Skills Multiplier Initiative demonstrated our role as a principled solution-provider. India successfully guided the bloc toward outcomes that prioritize the Global South, security, and sustainability, affirming our status as a “Vishwa Mitra.”
Samay’s Street FAQs
1. Will this G20 summit create jobs in India?
Yes, indirectly. India pushed for commitments on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and stable global growth. This helps Indian tech companies expand internationally and opens new economic opportunities for skilled Indian youth.
2. Why is India helping train African workers?
It is strategic. A stronger Africa means stable, growing markets for Indian exports and investments. Strong African trade partners and political allies are vital for India’s global standing and economy.
3. How does the anti-drug plan stop crime in my city?
It targets financing. The new G20 initiative aims to dismantle international networks and cut off the illegal money flows that finance both global drug trafficking and local terror/crime groups.
4. Is the Traditional Knowledge plan just for old remedies?
No, it’s about protection. The goal is to document and protect time-tested, sustainable practices—from health to environment—preventing their exploitation and ensuring they benefit the world’s collective future.
