PM Modi Embarks on Three-Day G20 Journey to South Africa Amid US Boycott
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Johannesburg from November 21-23 to attend the 20th G20 Leaders' Summit, hosted by South Africa. The summit comes amidst a surprise US boycott, announced by President Donald Trump, who accused the host country of discriminating against its white minority. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the PM's visit, stating that he will actively participate in all three sessions of the summit, focusing on key issues such as inclusive economic growth, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. Modi will also engage in bilateral meetings with other leaders and participate in the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Leaders' Meeting. South Africa's G20 Presidency, which assumes the position until November 2025, has chosen the theme 'Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.' The summit's logo features the King Protea, the national flower of South Africa, symbolizing resilience and cultural pride. This visit marks a significant diplomatic move by PM Modi, following his decision to skip the Asean-India Summit in Kuala Lumpur earlier this year. The Indian government had cited scheduling issues and other factors, but sources revealed that the upcoming Bihar assembly election and stalled trade talks with the US were key considerations. The US has hinted at reducing tariffs on Indian exports, citing a decrease in India's Russian oil purchases. However, the move remains uncertain, and the US boycott has sparked a mixed reaction from the international community. South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed the situation, stating that the US boycott is 'their loss.'
