At Johannesburg's G20 Summit, India navigated geopolitical tensions to forge the ACITI technology partnership, promote AI governance, and developmental priorities for the Global South.
The G20 Summit 2025 held in Johannesburg, South Africa, from November 22 to 23 marked a moment in global governance. Hosting the gathering for the first time on African soil, South Africa brought developmental priorities of the Global South to center stage.
Context of the Johannesburg Summit
The G20 Summit in South Africa represented the culmination of a four year cycle of leadership by developing nations: Indonesia, India, Brazil, and South Africa. This Global South presidency transformed the forum's focus from crisis management to addressing inequities in the global financial architecture. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa framed the summit around the theme "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability," invoking the African philosophy of Ubuntu to underscore global interconnectedness.
The summit's significance was amplified by the operationalization of the African Union's membership, a status achieved during India's 2023 presidency. This shifted the narrative from "aid to Africa" to "partnership with Africa," allowing the continent to drive the agenda rather than participate as an observer.
Geopolitical Tensions and the US Boycott
The defining feature of the G20 Summit 2025 was the boycott by the United States. President Donald Trump cited allegations regarding South Africa's domestic policies as justification, refusing to send any government representative to the gathering.
Despite these challenges, leaders representing two thirds of global GDP participated. European powers including France, Germany, and the UK attended despite the US boycott, demonstrating engagement with the Global South.
Key Summit Outcomes and Global Commitments
Declaration Adoption
The 122-point G20 Leaders’ Declaration was adopted on the summit’s opening day, reflecting an effective early-consensus strategy by South African negotiators. This ensured timely agreement on priorities such as sustainable development, global equity, and multilateral reform.
One of the outcomes was advancement of Mission 300, a joint World Bank and African Development Bank initiative aiming to connect 300 million people in Sub Saharan Africa to electricity by 2030. The project requires an estimated 30 billion dollars in public funding to catalyze an additional 90 billion in private investment. The summit served as a pledging conference, with commitments from European nations.
Climate Finance and Development
The declaration recognized the need to mobilize at least 1.3 trillion dollars by 2035 for developing countries to meet Paris Agreement goals. This "billions to trillions" shift represents acknowledgment that current climate finance flows are inadequate. The summit emphasized adaptation finance and operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund to assist vulnerable nations.
African nations face a sovereign debt crisis with public debt reaching 1.8 trillion dollars and annual servicing costs of 163 billion. 57 percent of Africans live in countries spending more on debt interest than healthcare or education. The summit launched a Cost of Capital Commission to reform credit rating methodologies and address the "African risk premium."
India's Leadership and Achievements
Multilateral Agenda Setting
India's participation proved instrumental in maintaining continuity between its 2023 presidency and South Africa's leadership. The Indian Prime Minister presented six ideas for the G20 to consider. They are:
- Global Traditional Knowledge Repository: This would harness the collective wisdom of humanity for the benefit of future generations.
- Africa Skills Multiplier: This program would aim to create a pool of one million certified trainers for skilling the youth in Africa.
- Global Healthcare Response Team: This would comprise healthcare experts from each of the G20 countries and could be deployed to deal with global health challenges in any part of the world.
- Open Satellite Data Partnership: Through this program satellite data of G-20 Space agencies would be made available to developing countries for agriculture, fisheries, disaster management, among other activities.
- Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative: This initiative would foster recycling, urban mining, second-life battery projects and innovation of various types, and help in strengthening supply chain security, and develop cleaner pathways of development.
- Initiative on Countering the Drug Terror Nexus: This would address drug trafficking and break the drug-terror economy.
The summit declaration reflected India's advocacy for Digital Public Infrastructure as a tool for financial inclusion. The Indian Prime Minister called for a "global compact on artificial intelligence" to prevent misuse in deepfakes, cybercrime, and terrorism, with core principles of human oversight, safety by design, and transparency.
ACITI Partnership: A Diplomatic Breakthrough
A consequential development for India's posture was the announcement of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership. This trilateral agreement represents a geopolitical realignment, given the disturbed diplomatic relations between India and Canada since 2023.
The ACITI Partnership focuses on three pillars.
- Diversifying supply chains for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths away from Chinese dominance, leveraging Australia and Canada's reserves with India's processing capabilities.
- Collaborating on mass adoption of AI and developing safety standards that counter authoritarian digital governance models.
- Joint research and commercialization of clean energy technologies including nuclear and green hydrogen.
IBSA Summit: Democratic Voice of the Global South
South Africa also hosted the India Brazil South Africa (IBSA) Leaders' Meeting alongside the G20 Summit. IBSA has been asserting its identity as the coalition of democracies within the Global South. Leaders emphasized that UN Security Council reform is "no longer an option, but a necessity," signaling coordinated advocacy for permanent seats representing Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Bilateral Engagements and Diplomatic Outreach
The Indian Prime Minister held bilateral meetings beyond the trilateral ACITI announcement.
- India and Italy announced a Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism, aligned with FATF standards and focused on emerging threats such as cryptocurrency misuse. The move reflects growing convergence between the two countries.
- Discussions with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa covered cooperation in trade, critical minerals, technology, skills development, and artificial intelligence.
- Talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney unlocked potential for cooperation in defense and space sectors, marking a diplomatic thaw. The leaders agreed to begin negotiations on a high-ambition Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aimed at doubling bilateral trade to USD 50 billion by 2030.
- Engagement with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi focused on innovation, defense collaboration, and talent mobility, with emphasis on enhancing trade ties.
- Discussions with leaders from Jamaica and the Netherlands demonstrated India's commitment to building partnerships across developed and developing nations.
Conclusion
The G20 Summit 2025 in Johannesburg proved that the Global South can lead on the world stage. By securing a declaration, launching initiatives like Mission 300, and facilitating partnerships like ACITI, South Africa's presidency delivered outcomes despite challenges.
For India, the summit validated its "Friend of the World" diplomatic strategy. By navigating geopolitical tensions while engaging both Western and emerging economies, India positioned itself as a bridge in a polarized world. The launch of technology partnerships and counter terrorism initiatives demonstrates India's capability to shape new institutional architectures serving its interests.
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G20 Summit 2025 FAQs
1. Where was the G20 Summit 2025 held?
Ans. Johannesburg, South Africa.
2. Which country boycotted the G20 Summit 2025?
Ans. United States.
3. What is the ACITI Partnership announced at G20 2025?
Ans. Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation trilateral agreement.
4. What was South Africa's G20 Summit 2025 theme?
Ans. Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.
5. Which organization's membership became operational at G20 2025?
Ans. African Union.