US Boycott Casts Shadow Over First-Ever African G20 Summit, India Steps In to Steer Key Global Priorities
The G20 leaders’ summit opens this weekend in Johannesburg, marking a historic first for the African continent.
But the landmark gathering begins amid geopolitical turbulence, with the United States expected to remain absent following President Donald Trump’s decision to boycott the event.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, however, revealed that Washington has made a late attempt to reverse course, sending word “at the 11th hour” that it wishes to participate—leaving officials scrambling to manage the logistics.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will also skip the summit, though China will be represented by Premier Li Qiang.
The absence of leaders from the world’s two largest economies threatens to weaken the summit’s momentum at a time when developing nations had hoped for greater engagement from global powerhouses.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed on Friday for a three-day visit to South Africa at Ramaphosa’s invitation.
India’s presence is expected to carry added weight as New Delhi pushes its vision of inclusive global governance under the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—the world as one family.
Why Trump Is Boycotting the Summit
President Trump has claimed that South Africa is “persecuting” white Afrikaner farmers through violence and land expropriation—allegations that have been strongly rejected by the South African government and even by several Afrikaner groups themselves, according to AP reports.
Citing these claims, Trump announced he would not attend the summit.
Although the US may now send some form of representation, analysts say Trump’s refusal to participate personally is expected to blunt South Africa’s agenda, especially its push for greater climate financing, debt relief, and global equity.
What India Brings to the Table
Prime Minister Modi is set to present India’s perspective shaped by its G20 motto—One Earth, One Family, One Future.
In his departure statement, he said the summit offers an opportunity to raise pressing global concerns ranging from sustainability to equality, and to build on the outcomes of the previous G20 meetings in New Delhi and Rio de Janeiro.
Modi will also participate in the 6th IBSA (India-Brazil-South Africa) Summit on the sidelines, reaffirming India’s role as a bridge between developing economies and established global powers.
With both the US and China absent at the top level, India’s active diplomatic presence is likely to be crucial in maintaining dialogue and driving consensus.
US Still Set to Take Over G20 Presidency
Despite Trump’s boycott, the United States will assume the rotating G20 presidency from South Africa at the summit’s conclusion.
A US Embassy official will attend the formal handover ceremony, according to the White House.
Summit Priorities: Climate Disasters, Debt and Inequality
South Africa intends to spotlight the devastating impact of climate-driven disasters across the Global South.
It is also urging world leaders to consider forming an international panel on wealth inequality—modelled on the UN climate panel—after a report led by Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz warned of an escalating “inequality emergency.”
Protests Expected in Johannesburg
Civil society groups have already launched counter-summits, condemning what they say is a global financial system “rigged for elites and billionaires.” Protests are expected throughout the weekend, as in past G20 gatherings.
Major Absences and Confirmed Attendees
Alongside Trump and Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin will also stay away due to the International Criminal Court warrant obligating South Africa to arrest him if he enters the country.
Argentina’s President Javier Milei has decided to skip the summit in solidarity with Trump.
Western leaders—including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer—have confirmed they will attend.
India’s leadership, against this backdrop of high-profile absences and rising geopolitical tensions, is expected to be pivotal in sustaining momentum on issues that matter most to the developing world.
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