New Delhi, Nov 15 (NationPress) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepares to travel to South Africa next week for the Group of 20 (G20) Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, the South African envoy in New Delhi praised the consistent efforts and contributions made by the Indian PM in addressing the collective aspirations of the Global South.

"It is widely acknowledged that Prime Minister Modi enjoys immense respect across the globe, particularly within the African continent. He is esteemed in South Africa, where he is viewed as a pivotal global leader advocating for the issues pertaining to the Global South, especially Africa. This upcoming visit marks Prime Minister Modi's fourth trip to South Africa within a decade, making him one of the Indian Prime Ministers with the highest frequency of visits to this nation. This is also true for his numerous trips across the African continent, complemented by President Droupadi Murmu's visits to several African nations since taking office. Such engagement highlights India's commitment to its relationship with the African continent, particularly South Africa," stated Anil Sooklal, the High Commissioner of South Africa to India, in an exclusive interview with IANS.

Under PM Modi's leadership, India has taken significant steps that culminated in the African Union joining the G20, a landmark achievement during India's presidency of the G20 in 2023.

"We must remember that it was through his initiatives, alongside the Indian government's support, that the African Union was granted full membership in the G20 during India's presidency in 2023. African leaders have expressed their appreciation for the role that India, particularly Prime Minister Modi, played in facilitating this inclusion," remarked Sooklal.

The G20 Leaders' Summit is scheduled for November 22 and 23 in Johannesburg, which is the largest city and economic center of South Africa.

During the event, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Prime Minister Modi will engage in a significant bilateral meeting, reflecting on the current status of their bilateral relationship and exploring new areas for cooperation such as security and people-to-people contacts.

"India was among the first nations to back our fight against apartheid and support our liberation efforts. Since our transition to democracy in 1994, our relationship has flourished. India stands as our third largest trading partner and a crucial global ally. Our partnership is deeply rooted, with vibrant cooperation in both multilateral and bilateral contexts, which continues to expand.

"I am confident that during the upcoming bilateral meeting, Prime Minister Modi and President Ramaphosa will evaluate the current state of our relationship and identify new avenues for cooperation, particularly in security, cultural exchange, and trade and investment. Cultural cooperation, including sports, remains a significant pillar in strengthening ties between our nations," Sooklal elaborated to IANS.

In anticipation of PM Modi's visit, the African media is emphasizing the historic announcement made two years ago during India's G20 Summit in New Delhi, where Prime Minister Modi officially declared the African Union's inclusion as a permanent G20 member.

"This announcement was groundbreaking, empowering the AU to provide Africa with a unified voice in global economic governance, enhance equitable representation, and advance the continent's interests in trade, climate change, and development. The journey towards the AU's G20 membership actually began seven years ago when Modi presented India's ten 'guiding principles' for relations with African countries during a speech in the Ugandan parliament," reported a South African media outlet, IOL.

"These principles affirm that Africa is a priority for India, our development partnership will align with African priorities, encourage trade and investment between Africa and India, promote India's digital transformation in the continent, engage in agricultural cooperation, address climate change, combat terrorism and extremism, ensure maritime security, encourage global engagement in Africa, reform global institutions, and secure greater representation for Africa," it concluded.