New Delhi/ Johannesburg, Nov 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday told world leaders that the time had come for a fundamental reassessment of development standards, as he proposed a series of G20 initiatives aimed at dismantling the drug-terror economy, strengthening healthcare coordination and safeguarding traditional knowledge systems.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the G20 Leaders’ Meeting, Modi sought collective action against the trafficking of lethal synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, calling it a growing global threat. He said India was pushing for a dedicated G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus.
“To overcome the challenge of drug trafficking, especially the spread of extremely dangerous substances like fentanyl, India proposes a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus,” the prime minister told delegates, adding, “Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy.”
The prime minister noted that current economic yardsticks require urgent revision. “Now is the right moment for us to revisit our development parameters and focus on growth that is inclusive and sustainable. India’s civilisational values, especially the principle of Integral Humanism offers a way forward,” he said during the session titled ‘Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind.’
Outlining what he termed “actionables”, Modi called for the establishment of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to ensure the preservation of culturally rooted and environmentally balanced practices. “India has a rich history in this regard. This will help us pass on our collective wisdom to further good health and wellbeing,” he wrote in a post on X.
Modi also announced that Africa’s advancement must remain central to global progress. He proposed a G20-Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, arguing that such an effort would foster equitable growth among developing economies. “India has always stood in solidarity with Africa. I am proud of the fact that it was during India’s G20 Presidency that the African Union became a permanent G20 member,” he said. According to him, “Our collective goal should be to create one million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade.”
In addition, the prime minister called for the creation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team to coordinate medical relief during health crises. “We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters,” he noted, saying the focus should be on trained teams from G20 countries prepared for rapid-deployment during emergencies.
