Modi Arrives in South Africa as G20 Begins Without Trump, Xi

The G20 leaders’ summit will take place in Johannesburg from 22–23 November 2025, the first time it is being held on African soil. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in South Africa to present India’s vision of “One Earth, One Family, One Future” and to attend the 6th IBSA Summit on the sidelines.

This year’s G20 theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” builds on outcomes from the New Delhi and Rio summits. The MEA said Modi will speak in all three sessions, which will focus on growth, development financing, debt, climate action, energy transitions, food systems, critical minerals, decent work and AI.

The G20 brings together 19 major economies along with the European Union and the African Union, offering a platform for developing nations to raise global economic concerns despite the grouping’s limited ability to enforce binding decisions.

US President Donald Trump had initially announced a boycott over disputed claims regarding the treatment of white Afrikaner farmers, but South Africa later indicated that Washington is reconsidering and may take part.

China, meanwhile, will be represented by Premier Li Qiang as South Africa seeks to push forward its agenda on climate-driven disasters, green financing, rising debt and inequality—issues analysts say require strong US involvement.

Several leaders will be absent this year, including Trump, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, with Putin unable to attend due to an ICC arrest warrant. Argentina’s President Javier Milei is also skipping the summit in solidarity with Trump, while Western leaders such as Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Keir Starmer have confirmed their participation.