World leaders descended on Johannesburg this weekend for the highly anticipated G20 Summit, which kicked off on Saturday, November 22, 2025, under South Africa’s presidency. The annual gathering, held this year at the Nasrec Exhibition Centre, brought together heads of state and government from the world’s major economies, all aiming to tackle pressing issues ranging from climate change to global economic recovery. Yet, the summit’s start was anything but routine, as it unfolded against a backdrop of diplomatic friction and bold new initiatives.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India arrived a day ahead of the official opening, setting the stage for crucial bilateral talks and high-level meetings. Modi’s early arrival was a sign of India’s growing clout on the world stage, and his agenda for the summit proved as ambitious as ever. According to iNews, Modi presented a six-point plan that spanned from countering the global drug-terror nexus to launching a new initiative for critical minerals—a resource increasingly at the heart of both technological innovation and geopolitical rivalry.
But the summit’s opening was marked by a dramatic turn: the United States staged a formal boycott, protesting what it called South Africa’s mishandling of its G20 presidency and citing concerns over the host country’s domestic policies. As Reuters reported, the White House accused South Africa of having “weaponized” its presidency, refusing to facilitate a smooth leadership transition and undermining the G20’s founding principles. Despite the absence of the US, the summit pressed on, and by the end of the first day, leaders had adopted a 30-page declaration addressing the climate crisis, economic challenges, and more.
Central to this declaration was the unveiling of the G20 Critical Minerals Framework, a new agreement designed to ensure that countries in the Global South—often rich in vital resources like lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—derive maximum benefit from their mineral wealth. The framework aims to address long-standing challenges such as under-investment and limited value addition in producer countries, while supporting sustainable development. The declaration’s emphasis on critical minerals reflects a growing international consensus: in a world increasingly powered by clean energy technologies, access to these resources is no longer just an economic issue, but a strategic one.
Prime Minister Modi’s six-point agenda, which he presented during the opening session, was met with considerable attention. His first proposal called for a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus, urging urgent and coordinated action to disrupt the links between drug trafficking and terrorism. Next, he advocated for the creation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team—a corps of trained medical professionals ready to be deployed wherever disaster strikes. Modi’s plan also included a new skills development initiative focused on Africa, aiming to empower young people on the continent and drive economic growth.
Further, Modi proposed the establishment of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository, designed to safeguard and share the world’s ancient wisdom and practices. He announced the launch of a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, which would make satellite data more accessible for development and disaster response. Rounding out his agenda was the G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative, which dovetailed with the summit’s broader push for sustainable resource management. According to iNews, these proposals underscored India’s determination to play a leading role in shaping the G20’s future direction.
While the declaration’s language on climate change was measured, its ambitions were anything but modest. Leaders agreed on the need to “massively scale up” climate finance, shifting from billions to trillions of dollars globally to support mitigation and adaptation efforts. The document also highlighted persistent energy access inequalities, especially in Africa, and called for increased investment in sustainable energy transitions. The summit’s focus on early warning systems for climate disasters signaled a recognition that the impacts of climate change are no longer distant threats—they are urgent realities demanding immediate action.
On the sidelines of the summit, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine remained a dominant topic, even though the final declaration mentioned the war only once, calling for a comprehensive peace. Western leaders, undeterred by the limited language in the official document, coordinated closely with Ukrainian officials to develop a counter-proposal to a recently leaked US peace plan. The situation underscored the complex interplay between global economic cooperation and unresolved geopolitical tensions.
Amid the flurry of official business, moments of personal diplomacy stood out. Just before the summit’s opening session, Prime Minister Modi met briefly with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Their warm exchange, as reported by several outlets, reflected the deepening relationship between India and Italy. The two leaders last met in June 2025 at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, and their rapport has been widely noted. In September, Modi described Meloni as an “extraordinary political leader who combines ideas and heart,” even likening her autobiography to a “Mann Ki Baat,” a phrase evoking heartfelt thoughts.
Modi’s praise found a receptive audience. In an interview with Italian news agency Adnkronos, Meloni responded, “The words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for whom I have profound respect… deeply touch and honour me. These are sentiments that I sincerely reciprocate… and testify to the strong bond between our nations.” Their mutual admiration was further evident when Modi thanked Meloni for her birthday wishes in September, expressing his appreciation for Italy’s friendship and his hopes for further strengthening bilateral ties.
These personal connections, while sometimes overlooked, play a crucial role in international diplomacy. As Modi wrote in the preface to the Indian edition of Meloni’s book ‘I Am Giorgia,’ the relationship between India and Italy is built on “shared civilising instincts, such as the defence of heritage, the strength of community, and the celebration of femininity as a guiding force.” Such sentiments offer a reminder that, even in a world of shifting alliances and hard-nosed negotiations, the bonds between nations can be shaped by shared values and genuine respect.
The G20 Summit’s outcomes this year point toward a shifting global order. Key agreements on climate finance and critical minerals were reached despite the absence of the US and significant geopolitical friction. The event has set the stage for a year of complex multilateral negotiations, with the world’s major powers navigating both common interests and deep-seated differences. As leaders depart Johannesburg, the work of turning declarations into action—and bridging divides—has only just begun.