India’s Priorities Shape Outcomes of the G20 Summit in South Africa

India’s priorities strongly shaped the G20 Summit in South Africa, with leaders echoing its focus on counterterrorism, digital innovation, women’s empowerment, disaster resilience, food security, health cooperation, and climate finance. The declaration backed major commitments on AI, resilient infrastructure, sustainable development, and UN Security Council reform, underscoring India’s continuing influence on global policy discussions.

India’s imprint was unmistakable at this year’s G20 Summit in South Africa, where many of the themes championed during its own presidency were carried forward into the Leaders’ Declaration. The final document strongly echoed the concerns of the Global South and reaffirmed initiatives that New Delhi has consistently pushed on the global stage.

A firm denunciation of terrorism and a clear endorsement of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) stood out among India’s key priorities reflected in the declaration. Leaders reiterated a unified position against terrorism in all its forms and acknowledged the transformative promise of emerging technologies. The summit reaffirmed earlier commitments on artificial intelligence, stressing the importance of safe and transparent AI systems that respect human rights and promote global cooperation, especially between developed and developing nations.

The declaration also placed significant emphasis on women’s empowerment—another core area advanced under India’s leadership. Members renewed their commitment to eliminating gender-based violence and ensuring women’s full participation in public life. Marking thirty years since the Beijing Declaration, leaders recognised women as essential contributors to peacebuilding and sustainable development.

Disaster resilience emerged as a defining focus of the South African presidency, with the outcomes of India’s Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group receiving renewed support. The Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), launched by India, was highlighted for its role in strengthening global preparedness and promoting innovative financing tools such as parametric insurance and risk pools.

Food security remained a pressing concern. The declaration reaffirmed the Deccan High-Level Principles, noting that global hunger persists at alarming levels and stressing the need for affordable, nutritious diets for all. Leaders underscored that intentional starvation should never be used as a weapon and emphasised the need for political will to secure the right to food.

In global health, countries recognised the relevance of traditional and complementary medicine alongside modern systems, echoing language from the New Delhi declaration. They called for stronger domestic investments in health, improved cooperation toward Universal Health Coverage, and more resilient healthcare systems.

Climate finance was among the most consequential outcomes of the summit. Leaders agreed that global climate investments must grow from billions to trillions and acknowledged that developing countries will require as much as USD 5.9 trillion before 2030 to meet their commitments. The declaration welcomed the latest progress under the Paris Agreement and stressed that climate measures should not become trade barriers. Members also reaffirmed support for sustainable lifestyles and inclusive energy transitions.

India’s longstanding call for reforming the UN Security Council was also reflected in the document. Leaders endorsed the need for an expanded, more representative body that better reflects the geopolitical realities of the 21st century, with greater voice for regions such as Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Throughout the declaration, the continuity of ideas introduced during India’s presidency—from digital innovation to development priorities—was evident. The South African summit ultimately showcased how India’s agenda continues to influence and shape the global discourse.