EAM Jaishankar to attend G20 meeting in Johannesburg
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will visit Johannesburg, South Africa, on February 20-21 to participate in the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (FMM) at the invitation of Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Wednesday.
India’s role in the G20 meeting
The MEA stated that Jaishankar’s participation will enhance India’s engagement with G20 nations and strengthen the voice of the Global South in this critical international forum. The minister is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit.
This will be the first G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting under South Africa’s presidency, which began on December 1, 2024, and will continue until November 30, 2025. The summit will focus on the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.”
Challenges and priorities under South Africa’s presidency
As South Africa assumes the G20 presidency, President Cyril Ramaphosa highlighted the global challenges that nations face, including climate change, underdevelopment, inequality, poverty, hunger, unemployment, technological disruptions, and geopolitical tensions.
In an unexpected move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced that he will skip the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, reflecting the growing tensions between the US and South Africa.
South Africa’s stance on global issues
Responding to Rubio’s absence, Ronald Lamola emphasized that South Africa’s G20 presidency is committed to addressing urgent issues, including rising debt burdens on emerging economies.
“Solidarity promotes collective problem-solving. Our G20 presidency is not confined to just climate change but also equitable treatment for nations of the Global South, ensuring an equal global system for all. These are important principles that we remain open to pursuing and engaging the United States on,” Lamola stated.
