QUICK OVERVIEW
The G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025, hosted in South Africa, marked the first G20 summit on African soil with the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The summit adopted the 122-paragraph Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration, focusing on UNSC reforms, Global South priorities, climate finance, women’s empowerment, debt relief, critical minerals, and youth employment targets. India played a key role through initiatives on drug-terror nexus, AI governance, Africa-centric development, critical minerals, and global health cooperation.
The second article highlights the rising challenge of digital tradecraft in terrorism, where terror groups use encrypted communication, VPNs, dark web, AI tools, and decentralised platforms. This modern threat requires India to upgrade its cyber-forensics, legal framework, talent pipelines, and international cooperation.
G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025 — Significance for Global Governance and the Global South
Background
The 20th G20 Summit 2025 held in Johannesburg became the first G20 summit hosted on the African continent, emphasising Global South leadership under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability.” The summit concluded with the Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration, capturing commitments on climate action, UNSC reform, debt relief, and inclusive development.
Key Highlights of the G20 Summit 2025
1. Johannesburg Leaders’ Declaration (122 Paragraphs)
Achieved full consensus across climate action, multilateral reform, and equitable global governance.
Embodies the African philosophy of Ubuntu, recognising shared responsibility and interconnectedness.
2. Strengthening Multilateralism
Calls for stronger cooperation to combat conflicts, inequality, and humanitarian crises.
Reinforces the need for UNSC reform with expanded representation for Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.
3. Stand Against Terrorism
Firm condemnation of terrorism in all forms — aligning with India’s long-standing position.
4. Climate Finance & Energy Transition
Push for a “billions-to-trillions” transformation in climate finance.
Operationalisation of a more equitable transition under the Paris Agreement.
5. Women’s Empowerment
Commitment to removing systemic barriers and ensuring equal decision-making participation.
6. Reforming Global Finance & Debt Crisis
Launch of a Cost of Capital Commission to address unfair credit-rating practices and reduce the “African risk premium.”
Highlights Africa’s rising debt: USD 1.8 trillion burden with many countries spending more on interest than on public services.
7. Mission 300
World Bank–African Development Bank initiative to provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
8. Critical Minerals Framework
Promotes sustainable global value chains, investment in exploration, and beneficiation in developing economies.
9. Youth & Gender Targets
Nelson Mandela Bay Target: Reduce youth NEET rate by 5% by 2030.
Commitment to 25% gender parity in labour participation by 2030.
10. Troika Coordination
Current G20 Troika: Brazil – South Africa – United States.
The Philosophy of Ubuntu
Ubuntu means “I am because you are.”
It emphasises empathy, shared humanity, mutual support, and collective progress.
Relevance to global goals:
Sustainable development
Equitable growth
Shared security
Knowledge preservation
About the G20
Formed after the Asian Financial Crisis (1997–98).
Upgraded to Leaders’ Summit after the 2008 Global Financial Crisis.
Members represent 85% of global GDP, 75% of world trade, and ⅔ of global population.
Mandate spans global economic governance, climate action, digital policy, food security, and anti-corruption.
Significance of the G20
Shapes global economic governance (tax reforms, digital public infrastructure, financial stability).
Drives sustainable development and 2030 Agenda.
Enhances the voice of the Global South.
Pushes for multilateral financial reforms (IMF–World Bank).
India’s Role in Shaping the G20 2025 Agenda
1. Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus
Proposal for a G20 Initiative focusing on financial tracking, border coordination, and intelligence cooperation.
2. Africa-Centric Development
Proposed G20–Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative to train 1 million trainers in 10 years.
3. Leadership in Health, Knowledge & Space
India proposed:
Global Healthcare Response Team
Traditional Knowledge Repository
Open Satellite Data Partnership
4. Critical Minerals & Sustainable Transitions
Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative
Push for diversified and democratic mineral supply chains.
5. Responsible AI Governance
Proposed Global Compact on AI with focus on transparency, safety, and prevention of misuse.
Invited nations to AI Impact Summit 2026.
6. Reforming Global Governance
Strong support for UNSC reform and a rules-based multilateral system.
Conclusion
The G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025 marked a decisive shift toward a Global South-centric agenda. The Declaration sets a foundation for equitable development, climate justice, financial reform, and global security cooperation.
Digital Tradecraft in Terrorism
Introduction
The Red Fort car explosion case revealed how terror groups now rely on encrypted, anonymous, decentralised digital ecosystems — also known as digital tradecraft.
What is Digital Tradecraft?
It includes:
End-to-end encrypted apps (Threema, Signal, Telegram)
VPNs, Tor, burner devices
Dark web forums & anonymous servers
Self-destruct messaging
Offline mesh communication
Cryptocurrencies, fake crowdfunding
AI tools, OSINT, satellite maps for reconnaissance
Challenges for India
Outdated legal frameworks
Limited advanced cyber-forensics
VPNs masking identities
Radicalisation among professionals
Weak cross-border cooperation
Reliance on foreign servers
Talent shortage in digital intelligence
What Should India Do?
Build specialised cyber-forensic units in NIA, NTRO, IB, ATS
Modernise UAPA to include digital tradecraft methods
Strengthen CERT-In mandate
Develop talent pipelines with IITs, DRDO, IIITs
Sign MLATs & global data-sharing agreements
Improve radicalisation detection in universities & professional spaces
Conclusion
India must upgrade from traditional counter-terrorism models to a multi-layered, digital-first security architecture.
✅ CLAT/EXAM RELEVANCE SUMMARY
Important for UPSC Prelims:
G20 Summit 2025
Mission 300
Critical Minerals Framework
UNSC reform
Ubuntu philosophy
AIM: Youth NEET target, gender targets
Digital tradecraft, encrypted apps, VPN, dark web
NIA, NTRO, CERT-In
Important for UPSC Mains (GS2/GS3):
Global governance & multilateralism
Role of G20 in development
India’s leadership in AI, health, Global South
Digital terrorism challenges
Cyber-forensics reforms
Drug-terror nexus
Important for CLAT GK & Legal Awareness:
G20 composition & Troika
Climate finance & multilateral reforms
Cyber laws, UAPA, IT Act limits
International cooperation on cybercrime