Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a re-evaluation of global development standards during his address at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This summit marks the first time the G20 is being held in Africa. Speaking on the theme of ‘Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind’, PM Modi highlighted the need for growth models that do not exploit resources or neglect large populations, particularly in Africa.

He introduced three significant initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development. The first is the establishment of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository. This initiative aims to document and share traditional wisdom from various communities worldwide, promoting sustainable living practices. PM Modi emphasized that India’s Indian Knowledge Systems initiative could serve as a foundation for this repository, ensuring that valuable knowledge is preserved for future generations.

The second initiative, the G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, focuses on enhancing skills in Africa. PM Modi stated, "Africa’s progress is vital for global progress," and proposed a train-the-trainer model to create one million certified trainers in Africa over the next decade. This initiative will be supported by all G20 partners and aims to empower millions of young Africans with essential skills.

Lastly, PM Modi proposed a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus. This initiative seeks to address the growing threat of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, which pose serious risks to public health and security. The Prime Minister called for a unified approach to disrupt trafficking networks and reduce illicit financial flows that fund terrorism.

In addition to these initiatives, PM Modi suggested the formation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team to enhance collaboration during health emergencies and natural disasters. He stressed the importance of working together to create a network of trained medical professionals ready for rapid deployment in crises.

These proposals reflect India's commitment to fostering inclusive growth and addressing global challenges through collaborative efforts at the G20 platform.