India Proposes ‘Global Healthcare Response Team’ and Crackdown on ‘Drug-Terror Nexus’ in Johannesburg
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the first session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth, and proposed two major global initiatives to enhance cooperation in healthcare and security.
With Africa hosting the G20 Summit for the first time, Mr. Modi argued that this is the opportune moment to “revisit global development parameters and prioritise growth that is both inclusive and sustainable.” He added that India’s civilizational values, particularly the principle of Integral Humanism, offer a meaningful philosophical way forward for more balanced global progress.
The Prime Minister unveiled two key proposals for G20 collaboration:
G20 Global Healthcare Response Team: Mr. Modi proposed the creation of a dedicated Global Healthcare Response Team, emphasizing that the world is stronger when it works together during health emergencies and natural disasters. The initiative would focus on creating teams of trained medical experts from G20 nations who are ready for rapid, international deployment in case of any global emergencies.
G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus: To tackle the rising challenge of drug trafficking, especially the proliferation of dangerous synthetic substances like fentanyl, the Prime Minister proposed a focused G20 Initiative. He called on member nations to unite to weaken the “wretched drug-terror economy” by disrupting trafficking networks and cutting off a major source of funding for terrorist groups.
The proposals, made during the session on “Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind,” are expected to form part of the wider negotiations as G20 leaders deliberate on shaping the next decade of global cooperation.
