Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday called for a dedicated G20 Initiative to confront the drug–terror nexus, emphasizing the urgent need to curb the spread and trafficking of dangerous synthetic substances like fentanyl and to dismantle the criminal economy that fuels terrorism.
Expressing concern over the rapid global proliferation of highly potent synthetic drugs, he warned that substances such as fentanyl pose severe risks to public health, social stability, and security systems around the world.
Modi proposed that the new G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug–Terror Nexus integrate financial, governance, and security frameworks. Its core priorities would include dismantling drug-trafficking networks, disrupting illicit financial flows, and weakening a major source of funding for terrorist groups—a challenge he stressed can only be addressed through unified global action.
Prime Minister Modi also proposed three other new initiatives aimed at global development including the creation of a Global Traditional Knowledge Repository under the G20 to preserve eco-balanced, culturally rich, and socially cohesive ways of living.
Modi opened the G20 Summit in Johannesburg with a broad appeal to recalibrate global development priorities, urging member nations to adopt approaches that are inclusive, sustainable, and grounded in civilisational wisdom.
"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.
He also proposed the setting up of a G20 Global Healthcare Response Team and Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative.
"We are stronger when we work together in the face of health emergencies and natural disasters. Our effort should be to create teams of trained medical experts from fellow G20 nations who are ready for rapid deployment in case of any emergencies." Modi said.
According to Reuters, the G20 summit declaration says, “We emphasise the importance of strengthening multilateral cooperation to address existing and emerging risks to the global economy.”
“We will work for a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the occupied Palestinian territory and Ukraine,” the declaration adds. It was drafted without US input in a move a White House official called "shameful", Reuters added.