PM Modi Arrives at G-20 Summit Venue in Johannesburg

Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome upon his arrival on Friday; where a cultural group greeted him at the airport and bowed to him as a sign of respect. His welcome set the tone for a visit that reflected India’s long-standing relationship with South Africa.

As part of this ongoing interaction, the visit marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth official visit to the country after the BRICS Summits in 2018 and 2023 and the bilateral visit in 2016. His repeated visits underscore the deepening partnership between the two countries.

Placing its trip into a broader context, this year’s G-20 also fits into a broader trend as the summit continues its rotation around the Global South for the fourth consecutive year, following Indonesia, India and Brazil. South Africa’s assumption of the 2025 presidency further highlights the region’s expanding leadership role.

Apart from the multilateral environment, Prime Minister Modi kicked off his bilateral relations by meeting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday. Their talks focused on areas of cooperation and ongoing interaction between their countries and gave impetus to India’s diplomatic outreach ahead of the summit proceedings.

Apart from official meetings, Prime Minister Modi also met with a group of Indian-origin technology entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. About

Continuing their interaction, Prime Minister Modi held discussions with the chairman and CEO of Naspers on expanding investments in India’s digital ecosystem, reflecting the growing global interest in India’s technology landscape.

PM Modi also shared his experience at a cultural performance in Johannesburg, sharing on

This song represents the hope and unwavering courage of the people who came here many years ago. Through these songs and bhajans they kept India alive in their hearts. Therefore, it is truly commendable to witness this cultural bond still alive today.”