JOHANNESBURG — In a day defined by striking diplomatic contrasts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s engagements at the G20 Summit in South Africa moved seamlessly from candid, humorous exchanges with host President Cyril Ramaphosa to high-stakes security deliberations with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The dual engagements on November 23 underscored India’s evolving role as both a supportive mentor to the Global South and a decisive security partner for the West.
The discussions highlighted the significance of the Modi Meloni G20 meeting, emphasizing collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges.
A Host’s Candid Admission The diplomatic proceedings began on a note of unusual warmth and vulnerability during bilateral talks between New Delhi and Pretoria. As South Africa navigates the complexities of hosting the G20 for the first time—a milestone achieved after the African Union was granted permanent membership during India’s 2023 presidency—President Ramaphosa shared a moment of levity that broke the typically rigid protocol of such summits.
Significance of the Modi Meloni G20 Meeting
Reflecting on the sheer logistical and diplomatic weight of the presidency, Ramaphosa admitted to “half-joking, half-serious” regret regarding the undertaking. “Maybe we would have run away,” Ramaphosa quipped during his opening remarks, drawing laughter from PM Modi and the assembled delegates.
Ramaphosa acknowledged that Pretoria had closely monitored India’s stewardship of the group in 2023, which culminated in the historic summit at Bharat Mandapam. “Thank you for the support that India has given to South Africa in hosting G20,” he told PM Modi. “You should have told us that it is such a difficult task; maybe we would have run away.” The remark highlighted the deep camaraderie between the two nations and the continuity of the G20 agenda as it passed from the Indian subcontinent to the African continent.
A United Front Against Terror Financing The mood shifted significantly as the focus turned to global security challenges. On the sidelines of the summit, Prime Minister Modi held a pivotal meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Against the backdrop of a recent terror incident in Delhi, the two leaders moved beyond standard diplomatic pleasantries to adopt a concrete security framework: the “India-Italy Joint Initiative to Counter Financing of Terrorism.”
This new initiative represents a hardening of the stance against the financial networks that sustain global terrorism. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the pact aims to deepen bilateral cooperation not just between the two nations, but across multilateral platforms including the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF).
“India and Italy are announcing a Joint Initiative for cooperation in combating financing of terrorism. This is a necessary and timely effort, which will strengthen humanity’s fight against terrorism and its support networks,” PM Modi stated following the meeting.
Prime Minister Meloni expressed her solidarity with India regarding the recent security challenges in Delhi, reiterating Rome’s commitment to eradicating the scourge of terrorism. The initiative is seen as a crucial step in the “India-Italy Strategic Partnership,” which Modi noted is “growing from strength to strength.”
Broadening the Strategic Canvas While security dominated the headlines, the Modi-Meloni dialogue—their second significant interaction this year following the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada—also covered a vast array of future-facing sectors. The leaders reviewed the “Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29,” expressing satisfaction with its progress in bolstering trade and investment.
Discussions expanded into critical modern domains, with both Prime Ministers identifying Artificial Intelligence (AI), space exploration, and innovation as key pillars for future cooperation. The two leaders also welcomed the robust participation of their respective private sectors in recent Business Fora held in New Delhi and Brescia, signaling that the diplomatic alignment is being matched by commercial momentum.
As the summit continues, the events of November 23 have painted a clear picture of Indian diplomacy: capable of fostering deep, personal bonds with emerging powers while simultaneously architecting rigid security frameworks with established Western partners.
