G20 summit | From focus on healthcare to war on drugs: PM Modi proposes six big initiatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was warmly welcomed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday as he reached the venue for the G20 Leaders' Summit.

Modi had arrived at the Waterkloof Air Force Base (AFB) in Gauteng on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Friday for the Summit hosted by South Africa.

PM Modi proposed six initiatives in the summit - a global traditional knowledge repository, a G20–Africa skills multiplier initiative, a global healthcare response team, a joint effort to counter the drug–terror nexus, a critical minerals circularity initiative, and an open satellite data partnership.

He proposed setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and a global healthcare response team and called for a profound rethink of the global development parameters.

Addressing the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting, Modi proposed creation of a global traditional knowledge repository under the G20 to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living.

Drug–Terror Nexus

The Prime Minister said to overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 initiative on countering the drug–terror nexus.

In a post on X, he said, "To overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy!"

G20 Global Healthcare Response Team

"India proposes the setting up of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team. We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. Our effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies," he said in another post.

G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository

“I proposed a few actionables to realise our dream of all-round growth. First among them is the creation of a G20 Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing,” Modi said in a post on X.

G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative

He said Africa’s progress was vital for global progress and proposed the G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative.

“India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India’s G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member,” he said.

“Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade,” Modi said.

He also proposed the setting up of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team.

“We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. Our effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies,” the prime minister said.

G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative

PM Modi's proposal aims to strengthen clean energy transitions by boosting recycling, easing supply chain pressures and advancing joint research on critical minerals.

G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership

During the second session at the G20 Summit, PM Modi proposed the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership which aims to make satellite data more accessible and interoperable, especially to support the Global South with space-based data.

(With PTI inputs)