Johannesburg – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, urging leaders to focus on inclusive and sustainable growth as Africa hosts the summit for the first time.
“NOW is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. India’s civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism offers a way forward,” Modi said.
He proposed several actionable measures to realise what he called “all-round growth.” The first is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. “India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing,” he added.
Modi stressed that Africa’s development is vital for global progress. “India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India’s G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member. Taking forward this spirit, India proposes a G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative. Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade,” he said.
He also proposed the establishment of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, aimed at strengthening collective action in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. “We are stronger when we work together. The effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies,” Modi said.
Addressing security challenges, he proposed a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus to curb the trafficking of dangerous substances, including fentanyl. “Let us weaken the wretched drug–terror economy,” he said.
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