Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg on November 21, 2025, to attend the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit, the first edition of the summit to be held on African soil. On the sidelines of the summit, PM Modi held his inaugural bilateral meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the deepening and diversification of India-Australia ties since their relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020. PM Albanese described the partnership as “very strong” and highlighted the significant potential for further strengthening economic ties between the two countries. He also offered condolences over the recent terrorist attack in Delhi and the tragic bus accident in Saudi Arabia that claimed the lives of several Indian Umrah pilgrims. Both leaders emphasized the importance of defence and security cooperation and pledged to enhance collaboration in these areas.

This meeting followed the 16th India-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Framework Dialogue held in New Delhi, co-chaired by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong. The dialogue reviewed broad bilateral cooperation and progress across multiple pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including trade, investment, defence, education, science and technology, space, energy, and people-to-people ties. Regional and global issues, particularly developments in the Indo-Pacific, were also discussed, reaffirming a shared commitment to a free, open, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific. During her visit, Penny Wong also met India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, PM Modi attended cultural performances by the Indian diaspora, including a rendition of the South African Girmitiya song “Ganga Maiya” in Tamil. He lauded the diaspora for preserving cultural ties with India through songs and prayers despite generational hardships. The Prime Minister highlighted the enduring bonds between India and South Africa, rooted in shared values and history.

PM Modi also emphasized the significance of the G20 Summit theme, “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability,” as advanced by South Africa, building on the outcomes of previous summits in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro. He underscored India’s vision of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world as one family) and the concept of “One Earth, One Family, One Future,” noting that the summit offers a platform to address critical global issues and engage with world leaders.

In addition, PM Modi is set to participate in the 6th IBSA Summit on the sidelines of the G20. The meeting with PM Albanese reinforced the strength of the India-Australia relationship, particularly in economic, defence, and security domains, with both sides committed to enhancing cooperation in strategic areas while tackling broader regional and global challenges together under the G20 framework.