Johannesburg G20: Modi’s Initiatives for Sustainable Growth and Global Security

At the G20 Leaders’ Summit held in Johannesburg, Prime Minister Narendra Modi championed a robust agenda for global development, stressing the imperative of inclusive and sustainable growth. He articulated that Africa’s inaugural hosting of the G20 provides a unique opportunity to redefine global development metrics, suggesting that India’s civilizational ethos, particularly Integral Humanism, offers a path toward equitable progress. A significant Indian proposal was the establishment of a ‘G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository.’ This platform is designed to capture and disseminate the rich heritage of traditional knowledge systems that promote ecological balance and social harmony. Drawing from India’s extensive experience with its own knowledge systems, the repository will act as a repository of sustainable practices, safeguarding this wisdom for future generations and promoting enhanced global health. In a strategic move to uplift Africa, Prime Minister Modi unveiled the ‘G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative.’ He pointed out that historical growth models have often led to resource exclusion and environmental exploitation, disproportionately affecting Africa. This initiative aims to create a workforce empowered with skills by setting a target of certifying one million trainers in Africa within the next ten years. It will be driven by a train-the-trainers model, supported by all G20 partners, recognizing that Africa’s development is intrinsically linked to global prosperity. Addressing a pressing international challenge, India proposed a ‘G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus.’ Modi highlighted the grave dangers posed by the proliferation of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, emphasizing their detrimental effects on public health, societal stability, and international security. He urged collaborative efforts to dismantle the interconnected drug-trafficking and terrorist networks. Additionally, India put forward the idea of a ‘G20 Global Healthcare Response Team,’ a mechanism for rapid mobilization of medical expertise from G20 member states to effectively manage health emergencies and natural disasters, underscoring the critical role of collective action in times of crisis.