Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg on Friday to participate in the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, marking the first G20 Summit held in Africa. On the sidelines, he held his first bilateral engagement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Albanese described the India-Australia relationship as “very strong” and highlighted opportunities to further strengthen economic, defence, and security ties. He also expressed condolences over the recent Delhi terror attack and the bus crash in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of several Indian Umrah pilgrims.
The meeting followed the 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue (FMFD) co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in New Delhi. During the dialogue, ministers reviewed bilateral cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including trade, investment, defence, education, research, science and technology, space, energy, and people-to-people ties, and discussed regional and global issues, particularly developments in the Indo-Pacific. Penny Wong also met National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Upon his arrival, PM Modi witnessed vibrant cultural performances by the Indian diaspora in Johannesburg, including a Tamil rendition of the South African Girmitiya song ‘Ganga Maiya.’ He lauded the diaspora for keeping India’s cultural spirit alive, calling the experience “gladdening and moving.”
PM Modi also expressed that the G20 Summit would provide an opportunity to discuss key global issues, highlighting the theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.” He noted India’s vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “One Earth, One Family, One Future” would guide his participation. Modi also plans to interact with leaders of partner countries and the Indian diaspora, and participate in the 6th IBSA Summit scheduled alongside the G20 Summit.
