“To overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 initiative on countering the drug-terror nexus. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy,” Modi announced, addressing the first session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The proposal is aimed at controlling drug trafficking, which is a threat to public health, stability and security, and bringing together financial governance and security tools for effective actions and target a major source of terror financing.
The drug-terror nexus has fuelled terrorism in Africa, while in South Asia, the Pakistan Army and ISI have facilitated proceeds from drug trafficking to fund terrorism. The US has sanctioned individuals and organisations involved in supplying illicit fentanyl and its precursor chemicals.
Modi pointed out that while the G20 has long-shaped global finance and growth, prevailing models have deprived large populations of resources and driven the over-exploitation of nature — challenges felt acutely in Africa.
The PM appreciated the South African presidency’s work in skilled migration, tourism, food security, artificial intelligence, digital economy, innovation and women’s empowerment, and called for greater representation of the Global South in global governance structures.Modi referred to the concept of integral humanism, rooted in India’s civilisational wisdom, as a guiding principle to harmonise progress with the planet.The PM also proposed establishing a global traditional knowledge repository under the G20. Developed on the Indian knowledge systems, this initiative would serve a global platform for traditional knowledge and help preserve the collective wisdom for future generations. The Prime Minister proposed a G20 Africa-Skills Multiplier Initiative, aimed at preparing 1 million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade and enabling large-scale skill development through a train-the-trainers model across multiple sectors, boosting local capacity and long-term development.
He also proposed the creation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team, emphasising the need for trained medical experts from G20 countries who can be rapidly deployed during health emergencies and natural disasters. This, he said, would strengthen global health security and emergency response capacities.
Earlier, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted Modi with a namaste, as the Indian leader arrived at the summit venue. On the sidelines of the first session of the G20 Summit, Modi met PMs of Italy and the UK besides the Presidents of France, Brazil and South Korea. In a post on microblogging platform X, Modi said he held a “very productive conversation” with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the summit.
The three-day G20 Leaders’ Summit 2025 began in South Africa on Friday. This year’s gathering carries special significance as it is the first time the summit is being hosted on the African continent.
The theme for the summit is “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.
South Africa has focused on key priorities during the summit, including strengthening disaster resilience, ensuring debt sustainability for low-income countries, mobilising finance for a just energy transition and harnessing critical minerals to promote inclusive and sustainable growth.