NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his address at the opening session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg to unveil three major proposals centred on healthcare, traditional knowledge and a global campaign against drug trafficking. Speaking at the first session, which focused on inclusive and sustainable growth, he wrote on X that “NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable,” adding that India’s civilisational values, particularly the principle of Integral Humanism, “offers a way forward.”PM Modi said he had put forward “a few actionables to realise our dream of all-round growth,” beginning with the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. He noted that India “has a rich history in this regard,” saying that such a platform would allow member nations to share inherited knowledge systems that support “good health and wellbeing.”He also highlighted Africa’s growing role in global governance, stressing, “Africa’s progress is vital for global progress,” and expressed pride that the African Union was made a permanent G20 member during India’s presidency. Taking this forward, he proposed a G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative aimed at producing one million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade.
On global health, PM Modi called for a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team to help countries respond quickly to emergencies. “We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters,” he wrote, urging the creation of multinational teams of trained medical experts ready for rapid deployment.
He also pushed for coordinated action against drug trafficking, warning of the spread of “extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl.” India, he said, was proposing a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus, declaring, “Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy!”
PM Modi’s message came as he began a packed schedule in Johannesburg, where he received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora with cultural performances showcasing folk traditions from 11 Indian states. His visit also included meetings with tech entrepreneurs and winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye quiz, which he said “truly strengthens our diaspora’s connect with India.” He described a performance of the South African Girmitiya song Ganga Maiya—sung in both Bhojpuri and Tamil—as a “joyful and emotional experience,” saying it reflected the enduring cultural bond shared by the community.Ahead of the summit deliberations, PM Modi met Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to review cooperation in sectors including defence, nuclear energy, trade and education.
