Modi’s Six-Point Agenda Steals Spotlight at G20 Summit Amid US Boycott

World leaders have convened in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit. The event began on Saturday under South Africa’s presidency. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived a day early for key bilateral talks.

Soldiers hold the Indian and American flags as President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India take part in a State Arrival Ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, June 22, 2023. (Doug Mills/The New York Times)

The summit’s first day saw the adoption of a leaders’ declaration. This occurred despite a formal boycott by the United States. The gathering aims to address pressing global economic and climate issues.

Key Takeaways from the G20 Summit 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented a ambitious six-point agenda. His first proposal was a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus. He called for urgent, coordinated action against drug trafficking.

His second proposal focused on creating a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. This team would consist of trained medical professionals ready for deployment. Modi also pushed for African development with a new skills initiative.

The final proposals included a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. He also announced a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership. His sixth point was the creation of a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative.

G20 Adopts Declaration Despite US Opposition

The G20 summit adopted a declaration on its opening day. It addresses the climate crisis and other global challenges. According to Reuters, the declaration was drafted without US input.

The White House criticized South Africa’s handling of the presidency. A spokeswoman said South Africa “weaponized” its G20 presidency. The US boycott was ordered over claims of South Africa’s domestic policies.

The 30-page declaration heavily emphasizes a new Critical Minerals Framework. This framework aims to use minerals for sustainable development. It seeks to ensure producer countries in the Global South benefit fully from their resources.

Climate Finance and Ukraine in Focus

The declaration highlighted the need to massively scale up climate finance. It stated funding must move “from billions to trillions globally.” This comes as the COP30 UN climate talks concluded with a new deal.

The document also addressed energy access inequalities, particularly in Africa. It called for increased investment in sustainable energy transitions. Leaders also committed to promoting more early warning systems for climate disasters.

On the sidelines, Western leaders kept the Ukraine conflict in sharp focus. They issued a statement after details of a US peace plan were leaked. European leaders are coordinating with Ukraine on a counter-proposal.

The outcomes of the G20 Summit 2025 underscore a shifting global order. Key agreements on climate and minerals were reached despite significant geopolitical friction. The event has set the stage for complex multilateral negotiations in the year ahead.

Thought you’d like to know

What were the main points of PM Modi’s G20 agenda?

PM Modi proposed six key initiatives. These included countering the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare team. He also pushed for skills development in Africa and a critical minerals initiative.

Why did the United States boycott the summit?

The US accused South Africa of undermining the G20’s founding principles. The White House said South Africa refused to facilitate a smooth presidency transition. The boycott was also linked to claims about South Africa’s domestic policies.

What is the G20 Critical Minerals Framework?

It is a new agreement to use critical minerals for sustainable development. The framework aims to ensure producer countries derive maximum benefit. It addresses challenges like under-investment and limited value addition.

How did the summit address climate change?

The declaration called for rapidly scaling up climate finance to trillions. It emphasized the need for sustainable energy transitions. The leaders also promised to develop more early warning systems for climate disasters.

Was the Ukraine conflict discussed at the summit?

The final declaration mentioned Ukraine once, calling for a comprehensive peace. However, Western leaders discussed it extensively on the sidelines. They are working on a counter-proposal to a leaked US peace plan.