Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a bilateral meeting with Naspers Chairman Koos Bekker and Chief Executive Officer Fabricio Bloisi on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg on November 21, 2025, shortly after his arrival in the country. The discussion centred on bolstering investments in India's burgeoning digital ecosystem, reflecting New Delhi's push to deepen ties with global tech investors amid the nation's rapid digital transformation. Modi, who landed at Waterkloof Air Force Base in Gauteng to a ceremonial welcome, used the opportunity to highlight India's favourable business environment as evidenced by Naspers' established footprint in the market.

Naspers, a South Africa-based multinational with significant stakes in technology and media, has long been a key player in India's startup landscape, notably through its majority ownership of Prosus, which invests heavily in e-commerce giants like Flipkart and fintech innovators such as Paytm. The talks delved into expanding collaborations in artificial intelligence (AI), the startup ecosystem, and the burgeoning space sector, alongside scouting fresh opportunities in consumer markets and cutting-edge technologies. According to Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the conversation underscored "Naspers’ success in India reflects ease of doing business and the strength of the startup ecosystem in India," emphasising the mutual benefits of such partnerships.

This engagement aligns with Modi's broader agenda at the summit, the first G20 gathering hosted on African soil since the African Union's inclusion as a permanent member during India's 2023 presidency. The Johannesburg meeting follows a pattern of Modi's outreach to global business leaders during multilateral forums, aiming to position India as a hub for innovation and investment. Earlier in the day, Modi also conferred with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to review progress on defence, security, critical minerals, trade, and people-to-people linkages, further amplifying the visit's diplomatic and economic dividends.

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While no formal agreements were announced from the Naspers dialogue, it signals potential for increased foreign direct investment in high-growth areas, supporting India's ambitions under initiatives like Digital India and the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) campaign. As the G20 Summit progresses through November 22-23, 2025, with themes of inclusive growth and sustainable development, Modi's interactions underscore New Delhi's strategy to leverage such platforms for bilateral gains, fostering a more interconnected global economy where emerging markets like India play a pivotal role in technological advancement.

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