India urges inclusive, sustainable growth at G20; PM Modi proposes global action on drugs, health, and skills
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the opportunity of opening the G20 Summit in Johannesburg to make a wide-ranging call for a reset of global development priorities by encouraging member nations to subscribe to inclusive, sustainable and experienced-based development models.
Aadrika Tayal 
New Delhi (India) November 22: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday presented India’s vision for a range of G20-led initiatives including establishing a global front against the drug-terror nexus, the establishment of a healthcare emergency response team to handle health emergencies as well as natural disasters, and pushed for a G20–Africa skills multiplier initiative at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Modi said, “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. Let us weaken the wretched drug-terror economy.”
Proposes Global Traditional Knowledge Repository
Kicking off his pitch with a call to preserve the tried-and-true models of sustainable living, PM Modi proposed a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20.
He explained that India’s own Indian Knowledge Systems initiative could serve as the basis for a platform to compile eco-balanced and culturally-based practices from communities across the globe.
Pushes for G20–Africa skills multiplier to build youth capacity
Emphasizing that the future of Africa is necessary for the future of the world, PM Modi rolled out a policy aimed at the youth bulge in Africa.
He introduced the idea of the G20–Africa skills multiplier initiative, which is based on the train-the-trainers concept of professional accreditation, with full support from all G20 partners.
These trainers are expected to help skill millions more, building a pipeline of talent across sectors and unlocking large-scale jobs. Modi linked the proposal to India's long-standing partnership with Africa, recalling that it was during India's G20 Presidency that the African Union was inducted as a permanent member.
Advocates coordinated global effort on healthcare
The Prime Minister was concerned about the worldwide shortage of powerful synthetic drugs such as fentanyl, warning of their detrimental impact on public health, social cohesion and security systems throughout the world.
Among other themes he raised was a G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus that mirrored the financial, governance and security needs.
This new initiative would seek to destroy drug trafficking networks, stop money laundering and fight terror funding, which he said is an issue that requires coordinated intervention from all over the world.
The Prime Minister described the India philosophy of Integral Humanism as a more balanced perspective on development.
