Johannesburg: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a profound rethinking of global development parameters and proposed several key initiatives during the opening session of the G20 Leaders' Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Modi proposed the establishment of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus, emphasising the need to combat the trafficking of dangerous substances like fentanyl. He called this effort crucial to weakening what he described as the "wretched drug-terror economy."

Highlighting India's rich cultural heritage, Modi also suggested the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to preserve "eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living."

“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,” Modi told the session on ‘Inclusive and sustainable economic growth leaving no one behind.’

In a bid to support Africa's development, Modi proposed the G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, aiming to create one million certified trainers within the next decade. He noted that Africa’s progress is vital for global advancement and expressed pride that the African Union became a permanent G20 member during India’s G20 Presidency.

“Our collective goal should be to create 1 million certified trainers in Africa within the next decade,” Modi said.

To enhance global health emergency preparedness, Modi called for the formation of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team—trained medical experts from G20 nations who can be rapidly deployed in health crises and natural disasters.

Modi framed these proposals within India's civilizational values, particularly the principle of Integral Humanism, and stressed the importance of inclusive and sustainable growth that leaves no one behind.

With inputs from PTI