India ensures global south priorities must reflect in G20 declaration

By Anjali Sharma

WASHINGTON – India on Saturday ensured that the issues and priorities of the Global South it has consistently advocated were reflected in the South Africa G20 Summit Declaration, in a statement issued by India during the G20 session.

G20 South Africa Summit adopted the Leaders’ Declaration, which strongly echoed the key outcomes of India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.

New Delhi has long been pushing for greater global consensus on counterterrorism, and the G20 Summit 2025 Leaders’ Declaration took a firm stand, condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The key document reaffirmed India’s commitment to harnessing the potential of digital and emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, emphasizing the need for safe, secure, and trustworthy AI development, deployment, and use.

The empowerment of women and girls one of the central outcomes of India’s G20 Presidency has also been reinforced in the declaration.

The outcomes of the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group initiated under India’s presidency have been carried forward by the South African presidency.

The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure has also been acknowledged in this context.

India secured more ambitious language than last year on climate finance.

The South African declaration recognized the need to scale up climate finance from billions to trillions of dollars and highlighted that the requirements of developing countries to implement their nationally determined contributions are estimated at USD 5.8–5.9 trillion for the pre-2030 period.

The declaration underscored the importance of adopting sustainable production and consumption patterns and mainstreaming Lifestyles for Sustainable Development.

India also pushed for a renewed call to reform the United Nations Security Council to improve its representation.

The Deccan High-Level Principles on Food Security and Nutrition were reinforced in the context of global food security. The role of traditional and complementary medicine was also acknowledged, echoed the