PM Modi pushes for satellite data sharing, collaborative critical minerals research at G20: 'Resilience can't be built in silos'

PM Modi at G20

Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the second session of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg on Saturday to push a proposal focused on cleaner energy shifts, smoother supply chains and expanded collaborative research on critical minerals. He also floated what he called the G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership, under which space agencies of G20 members would share satellite data with developing nations for uses in agriculture, fisheries and disaster-related work.

The idea, placed before world leaders during the session titled “A Resilient World — the G20's Contribution: Disaster Risk Reduction, Climate Change, Just Energy Transitions, Food Systems,” highlights his call for deeper cooperation. PM Modi stressed that “resilience cannot be built in silos” and urged G20 nations to coordinate more broadly on the many overlapping crises the world faces.

He pointed out that the year had once again shown how “natural disasters continue to pose a significant challenge to humanity,” adding that they had touched a large share of the global population. According to him, “It is clear that to deal with natural disasters, we will have to strengthen global cooperation.”

PM Modi argued that the grouping should support integrated planning that links food systems, healthcare, sustainable farming and readiness for emergencies. As he put it, “The G20 should promote such comprehensive strategies which by linking nutrition, public health, sustainable agriculture, and disaster preparedness can build a stronger global security system.”

G20 members comprise the world's major economies, representing 85 per cent of global GDP, 75 per cent of international trade, and two-thirds of the world's population, according to the G20's official website.

It comprises Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US, the European Union, and the African Union.

South Africa is hosting the Summit this year, the first time a G20 Summit is being held on the African continent.

This is the fourth consecutive summit of the grouping to be held in the Global South.

Before South Africa, the G20 presidencies were held by Brazil (2024), India (2023) and Indonesia (2022).

India established the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G20 Presidency, and "I congratulate South Africa for moving this important agenda with priority," Modi said.

In his address, he underlined that the approach to disaster resilience should be beyond "response-centric", rather it should be "development-centric", and said this was India's vision behind setting up of the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).

A declaration adopted at the G20 Leaders' Summit here underlined that solidarity, equality and sustainability are key pillars of inclusive growth.

Energy security, climate action and disaster resilience and response were also prominently mentioned in the text of the declaration that was adopted by the heads of state attending the Summit by consensus despite US attempts to stop it.

In his address, Modi said India is fully committed to sustainability and clean energy, which is why "we propose a G20 Critical Minerals Circularity Initiative to promote recycling, urban mining, second-life batteries and related innovations".

The PMO later in a post on X said the initiative aims to strengthen clean energy transitions by boosting recycling, easing supply chain pressures and advancing joint research on critical minerals.

It would foster recycling, urban mining, second-life battery projects and innovation of various types, and help in strengthening supply chain security, and develop cleaner pathways of development, the PMO said.

Modi said during the New Delhi G20 Summit, "We had resolved that by 2030 we will triple the renewable energy and double the energy efficiency rate".

To achieve this goal, developed countries will have to fulfill their commitments to provide affordable climate finance and technology in a time-bound manner, he added.

He also highlighted the Deccan Principles on Food Security adopted during India's presidency, and noted that such an approach should become the basis for creating a G20 roadmap on food security.

Modi also shared the broader points from his speech in a series of posts on X.

He called for greater collective action on the climate agenda to strengthen food security.

Modi wrote on X that one of the most adverse effects of climate change is in the agriculture sector, thus impacting food security.

"India is addressing these challenges through the world's largest food security and nutrition support programme, the world's largest health insurance scheme and crop insurance scheme".

"India is also at the forefront of promoting Shree Anna or millets, which are nutritious,” he said.

Prime Minister sought a greater voice for the Global South in global governance structures and underlined that the inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member of G20 in the New Delhi Summit was a major step forward, and this inclusive spirit must also be taken beyond G20.

Modi had arrived at the Waterkloof Air Force Base (AFB) in Gauteng on the outskirts of Johannesburg on Friday for the Summit hosted by South Africa.

With PTI inputs