Global leaders convened in Johannesburg on Saturday for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, hosted by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived a day early for bilateral talks including a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlined a comprehensive six-point framework for new G20-led initiatives during his address.
Six-Point Global Agenda
PM Modi presented six key proposals aimed at fostering equitable global development and security:
- Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus: A call for urgent, coordinated G20 action to dismantle the link between drug trafficking and terrorism.
- Global Healthcare Response Team: The creation of a specialized task force of medical professionals from member nations, ready for rapid deployment during health crises.
- Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative: A program designed to build a future-ready workforce, directly supporting the development of the African continent.
- Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: A proposal to establish a centralized digital archive for preserving traditional knowledge systems.
- Open Satellite Data Partnership: An initiative to share satellite data for development and disaster management.
- Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: A push for sustainable practices and value addition within the critical minerals sector to ensure resource security.
Safeguarding Artificial Intelligence
Addressing a session on “A Fair and Just Future for All,” Prime Minister Modi advocated for a global compact to prevent the misuse of Artificial Intelligence. Emphasizing that AI must remain human-centric, transparent, and responsible, he warned against its potential exploitation for deepfakes, cybercrime, and terrorism.
According to news agency PTI, Modi stressed that AI systems impacting public trust must be auditable and accountable, with final decision-making authority resting with humans. He also proposed a global framework on talent mobility to better prepare the workforce for future technological shifts.
Urgent Call for UNSC Reforms
Speaking at the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders’ Summit on the sidelines, PM Modi termed the reform of the UN Security Council as a necessity rather than an option. He urged the IBSA grouping to champion the cause of fairer global governance.
Additionally, Modi proposed institutionalizing an IBSA-level National Security Advisor (NSA) meeting, launching an IBSA Digital Innovation Alliance, and creating a fund for climate-resilient agriculture. Highlighting opportunities for cooperation in green energy, digital infrastructure, and disaster resilience, he described IBSA as a vital bridge connecting three major democracies across three continents. Modi also invited IBSA leaders to India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit to help shape norms for trustworthy AI