PM Modi’s diplomatic mastery at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg tells you why diplomacy is eventually about. The 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit unfolded under the theme ‘Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability’.

This historic gathering was the first time an African nation hosted the forum, a milestone that underscored the shifting sands of global geopolitics.

Amid this backdrop, PM Modi emerged not just as India’s representative but as a pivotal architect of international consensus. His interventions, bilateral engagements, and visionary proposals propelled India’s stature to new heights, reinforcing its role as a bridge between the developed North and the emerging Global South.

Since assuming office in 2014, Modi has attended a dozen G20 Summits, transforming India from a peripheral participant into a central convener. Through assertive yet inclusive diplomacy, he has leveraged the G20 to amplify India’s priorities: sustainable development, counter-terrorism, climate action, and equitable global governance.

In an era of geopolitical fragmentation, Modi’s approach exemplifies ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), blending ancient wisdom with modern realpolitik. As the first G20 Summit on African soil, it provided PM Modi a platform to champion the continent’s aspirations, echoing his 2023 Delhi Declaration that secured the African Union’s permanent G20 membership — a diplomatic coup that reshaped the forum’s inclusivity.

Despite the notable absence of U.S. President Donald Trump, who boycotted the event amid domestic priorities, Modi stepped into the leadership vacuum with characteristic poise, ensuring the Summit’s joint declaration advanced without a U.S. veto — a testament to India’s growing heft. The Summit’s opening session saw PM Modi deliver a compelling address, critiquing outdated growth models that perpetuate inequality and environmental degradation, particularly in Africa. Drawing from ‘Integral Humanism’, a philosophy emphasising holistic human development, he proposed harmonisation of economic advancement with planetary stewardship.

This philosophical pivot resonated deeply, positioning India as a moral compass for the Global South.

Modi’s centrepiece was a six-point global agenda, unveiled as actionable initiatives to foster resilience and equity. A ‘train-the-trainers’ programme to certify one million African trainers over a decade, backed by G20 financing, is a case in point. India committed to leading skill development for one million youth, addressing Africa’s youth bulge and unemployment crisis. This builds on Modi’s earlier emphasis on human capital as the engine of sustainable growth. A rapid-deployment force of medical experts from G20 nations for health emergencies and disasters was also proposed by PM Modi. Inspired by India’s COVID-19 vaccine diplomacy via COVAX, this proposal underscores Modi’s vision of health as a global public good, preventing........

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