New Delhi, November 23: On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni exchanged a warm smile and a firm handshake at Johannesburg’s Nasrec Expo Centre. Journalists’ cameras captured the moment, and the clip was widely shared on the internet, briefly adding a lighter note to the 2025 G20 Summit.
After arriving at the venue and before stepping inside, Modi and Meloni paused for greetings. They last met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, in June, where their personal rapport was evident. This time their interaction appeared even warmer, as two of the most popular leaders representing the Global South and Europe shared the global spotlight.
A Bond Strengthened Through Literature
Their relationship isn’t new. It drew significant attention earlier this year when PM Modi contributed a special preface to the Indian edition of Meloni’s book “I Am Giorgia.”
Responding to the gesture, Meloni said she was “deeply touched and honoured,” expressing “profound respect” for Narendra Modi. Diplomats view this as symbolizing deepening cooperation between the two nations in defence, technology, renewable energy, and cultural exchange.
A Summit with a Notable Absence
While the Modi-Meloni interaction captured attention, the summit opened with a significant absence: US President Donald Trump boycotted the G20, accusing South Africa of mistreating white Afrikaners. His decision reshaped the political atmosphere of the meeting.
Meanwhile, leaders from Brazil, China, Japan, the EU, and the UK arrived with diverse agendas ranging from climate change concerns to AI ethics and global trade.
Focus on Global South Priorities
The G20’s significance lies in representing both developed and developing nations, facilitating discussions on sustainable and equitable global frameworks. This year’s summit carries particular importance for developing economies, with conversations centered on inclusive growth, technology access, debt relief, and climate finance.
The Modi-Meloni interaction, though brief, symbolized the increasingly visible cooperation between India and Europe at a time when global leadership equations continue to shift. As the first G20 summit held in Africa, this gathering underscores the growing voice of the Global South in shaping international policy and economic cooperation.
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