Modi to Attend G20 Summit in South Africa as Trump Opts Out
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to South Africa to take part in the G20 Summit, even as US President Donald Trump has decided to skip the event, according to official updates.
Reports in Indian media earlier suggested that Modi had missed recent major international gatherings — including an ASEAN summit in Malaysia and the Gaza Peace Summit in Egypt — amid speculation that he was avoiding a meeting with President Trump until progress was made on the pending India-US trade agreement.
The upcoming G20 in South Africa marks the first time the forum is being hosted on the African continent. However, Washington has announced that it will not participate, with the Trump administration alleging that the host nation discriminates against white citizens due to historical legacy issues connected to apartheid rule, which ended in 1994.
Trump has also opposed South Africa’s official agenda for the November 22–23 gathering, which focuses on strengthening global cooperation, supporting developing economies, managing debt challenges, advancing clean energy transition and building resilience against worsening climate-related disasters.
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Modi will represent the country at the summit.
Prior to embarking on the trip, Modi said he will present India’s perspective at the forum in line with its vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One Earth, One Family and One Future’.
“Will be attending the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the summit,” Modi posted on social media platform X.
Will be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the Summit. https://t.co/Sn4NFUOzXB
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2025
“During the visit, I also look forward to my interaction with the Indian diaspora in South Africa, which is one of the largest outside India,” Modi said in the statement he shared along with his post on X.
On the margins of the summit, Modi is expected to hold bilateral meetings with some of the leaders present in Johannesburg. He is attending at the invitation of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Earlier this week, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs had said that Modi was expected to speak at all three sessions of the summit.
According to Press Trust of India, a top official of the MEA on Thursday had said that he would not like to prejudge what would figure in the leaders’ declaration, but all important matters relevant from the perspective of India and the Global South will be “highlighted by our leadership”.
