'...Maybe We'd Have Run Away': Ramaphosa Jokes About G20 Challenges, Thanks PM Modi For Support

Last Updated:November 24, 2025, 07:37 IST

Ramaphosa thanked PM Modi for G20 support, praised India's presidency, and stressed Africa's growth, citing lessons from India, Brazil, and Indonesia.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with PM Narendra Modi at G20 Leaders' Summit. (Image: Reuters)

In a lighthearted moment on the sidelines of the G20 Summit, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India’s support in organising the historic event — and joked that, had he known how difficult it would be, his country “maybe would have run away."

Speaking at the start of India–South Africa high-level delegation talks in Johannesburg, Ramaphosa laughed as he said, “Thank you for the support that India has given to South Africa in hosting G20…You should have told us that it is such a difficult task, maybe we would have run away," drawing warm laughter from PM Modi and other delegates in the room.

Ramaphosa went on to praise India’s own G20 presidency in 2023, calling it “spectacular," and credited it as a learning experience for Pretoria. “We have learned a lot from your hosting of the G20 and yours was spectacular… building ours is really small," he said.

PM Modi immediately responded, saying, “Small is always beautiful," referring to South Africa’s capabilities.

South Africa assumed the presidency this year with a clear vision to place Africa’s development at the heart of the global agenda. India hosted the 18th G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi in September 2023, marking a historic moment as the African Union was admitted as a permanent member of the group.

‘Learnt A Lot From What Indonesia, India and Brazil Did’: Ramaphosa On Hosting G20

In his closing address after delegation-level talks, the South African President stated that India, Brazil and Indonesia had played a key role in shaping South Africa’s G20 presidency.

“We learnt a lot from what Indonesia, India and Brazil did. In many ways, what we see having unfolded here was based on the foundations that those three countries of the Global South put in place," he remarked.

“Our agreement on a Declaration during this summit demonstrates the value of the G20 as a forum that can facilitate joint action on issues of shared concern not only for the leaders, but shared concern for the peoples of the world. More than that, it reaffirms our renewed commitment to multilateral cooperation and our recognition that our shared goals outweigh our differences," the president added.

He thanked all G20 members and invited guests for their contribution, emphasising that their engagement was crucial “in reaffirming the G20 as the premier forum for international economic cooperation."

Outlining South Africa’s priorities, Ramaphosa reiterated that “the greatest opportunity for prosperity in the 21st century lies in Africa", noting that Pretoria had “sought to place Africa’s growth and development at the heart of the G20’s agenda."

“Harnessing that opportunity will require a strong partnership between Africa and the G20 and indeed between Africa and the rest of the world," he further said.

He highlighted that leaders had used the declaration to advocate an end to global conflicts and for “a just, comprehensive and lasting peace", while also committing to “end poverty in all its forms" and to reduce inequality within and between countries. Ramaphosa further stressed the urgency of action against climate change.

“The G20 has pledged to extend support to low and middle-income countries as they confront debt vulnerabilities," he further added.

News world '...Maybe We'd Have Run Away': Ramaphosa Jokes About G20 Challenges, Thanks PM Modi For Support

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