PM Modi Proposes Global Framework to Fight Drug-Terror Nexus at Johannesburg Summit
PM Modi Urges Global Action on Drug-Terror Nexus at G-20 Summit in Johannesburg: At the G-20 Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again delivered a strong and decisive message against terrorism, calling on world leaders to unite against the rapidly growing drug-terror nexus. Addressing the gathering of the world’s major economies, PM Modi proposed the launch of a new global initiative titled the “G20 Initiative on Countering the Drug-Terror Nexus.”
Emphasizing the urgency of global cooperation, Modi warned that drug trafficking has become one of the largest sources of terror financing. “Drug trafficking is a huge issue. Extremely lethal drugs like fentanyl are spreading rapidly today. They pose a serious challenge not only to public health but also to social stability and global security. Most dangerously, drug proceeds have now become the biggest source of financing terrorism,” he said.
PM Modi stressed that isolated national efforts are no longer sufficient to fight this global menace. He called for a coordinated worldwide effort integrating financial, governance, and security mechanisms to dismantle the dangerous relationship between narcotics and terrorism. He urged the G-20 to create a joint strategy and take concrete action.
Although India did not directly mention cross-border terrorism in the summit resolution, the country’s experiences with narcotics-funded terror—particularly involving Pakistan—formed an implicit backdrop. India had also championed a strong anti-terror stance during the 2023 New Delhi G-20 Summit, which included a landmark zero-tolerance declaration against terrorism.
In addition to combating terror funding, PM Modi presented two major proposals to the global forum. The first is the G20 Africa Skills Multiplier Initiative, aimed at training one million African youth through a train-the-trainer model over the next decade. “Africa’s development and empowering its young talent is in the global interest,” PM Modi said, encouraging all G-20 partners to support and finance this capacity-building effort.
His second proposal focused on safeguarding humanity’s heritage. Modi suggested creating a Global Repository of Traditional Knowledge within the G-20 framework, highlighting the cultural wisdom, eco-friendly practices, and nature-respecting lifestyles preserved by various communities worldwide. He emphasized that such a repository would help pass on this collective wisdom to future generations.
PM Modi’s proposals received positive attention, with expectations that the drug-terror nexus initiative could be formalized under South Africa’s G-20 chairmanship. His address reinforced India’s long-standing policy of advocating strong global action against terrorism, including in areas such as cross-border extremism, terror financing, and misuse of emerging technologies.
ALSO READ: Natural Remedies For Dry Lips During Winter
