Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday used his address at the G20 Summit to urge member nations to adopt a new paradigm of development centred on sustainability, inclusivity and global cooperation. In a wide-ranging speech, he made four major proposals spanning security, healthcare, skills, knowledge systems and resource circularity, while emphasising that current growth models have left large populations and the planet vulnerable.
PM pushes for new development parameters
Calling for a fundamental rethink of how the world measures and pursues growth, Modi noted that skewed priorities have disproportionately affected regions such as Africa. He said that despite global progress, millions continue to remain deprived of basic resources, while the overexploitation of nature threatens long-term survival.
Referring to the continent’s historic moment as first-time host of the G20 Summit, he said, “Today, as Africa hosts the G20 Summit for the first time, it is imperative for us to reconsider the parameters of development.” The Prime Minister highlighted “integral humanism”, associated with BJP ideologue Deen Dayal Upadhyay, as a guiding philosophy to achieve harmony between individuals, society and nature.
Traditional knowledge repository and healthcare response team
In a bid to safeguard and nurture collective human wisdom, Modi proposed the creation of a global traditional knowledge repository. Built on foundations laid by India’s own knowledge systems initiative, the repository would collate and digitise traditional practices and indigenous wisdom from across nations.
He also called for a Global Healthcare Response Team bringing together experts from G20 countries. This team would facilitate rapid, coordinated responses during health emergencies or natural disasters, ensuring global preparedness and resilience.
Africa-focused skills mission
Reiterating India’s commitment to the African continent, Modi said that Africa’s development, especially through youth skill enhancement, is vital for global progress. Under the proposed “G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative”, member nations would collaborate under a train-the-trainers model.
“Our collective goal will be to prepare one million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade,” Modi said, adding that trained professionals would later help equip millions of African youth with employable skills. The initiative, he said, would have a significant multiplier effect and empower local communities by strengthening capacity building.
Tackling drug trafficking and terror financing
A major part of Modi’s speech focused on the rising threat from synthetic drugs, especially fentanyl. He termed the drug-terror nexus a serious challenge to public health, global stability and national security.
“This also serves as a significant channel for financing terrorism,” he warned, urging G20 nations to launch a coordinated initiative involving governance, finance and security agencies. Such a framework, he said, would be essential to dismantle the global drug economy and its links to extremist networks.
Circularity in critical minerals
Emphasising the importance of sustainability in the clean energy transition, Modi proposed a “G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative”. With concerns rising over the concentration of rare and critical minerals in the hands of a few nations, he suggested innovations such as recycling, urban mining and second-life batteries to reduce dependency on primary mining.
He said that increased investment in circularity would ease pressure on global supply chains and support joint research, technology harmonisation and pilot recycling units across the Global South.
Open satellite data for the Global South
Modi also proposed a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make satellite data from G20 space agencies more accessible to developing nations. The initiative, he said, would ensure the benefits of space technology reach the entire world, especially countries lacking technological infrastructure.
A call for holistic resilience
The Prime Minister stressed that global resilience cannot be built in silos. “The G20 should promote comprehensive strategies that combine nutrition, public health, sustainable agriculture and disaster preparedness,” he said, pitching for an integrated global defence framework.
Modi acknowledged South Africa’s G20 presidency, praising its progress on priority issues such as skilled migration, food security, artificial intelligence, innovation, digital economy and women’s empowerment. He added that India was pleased to see key initiatives from the New Delhi G20 Summit being carried forward.
Conclusion
Modi’s proposals highlighted India’s strategic emphasis on shared prosperity, security cooperation and sustainable development. With Africa at the centre of this year’s G20 vision, his address reinforced India’s role in shaping an inclusive global future rooted in human-centric development.