New Delhi, Nov 21: The Congress on Friday took a sharp swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he is attending the G20 Summit in South Africa “safely and securely” only because US President Donald Trump is boycotting the event. The party also questioned whether Modi’s so called “huglomacy” with his “good friend” Trump would resume when the next G20 Summit is held in the United States.
Prime Minister Modi embarked on a three-day visit to Johannesburg on Friday to participate in the 20th G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said it was “extraordinary” that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly opposed South Africa’s G20 themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability, describing them as “anti-American.” He added that Rubio was also the first person to announce the abrupt halt of Operation Sindoor earlier this year.
Ramesh noted that the G20 Presidency rotates annually, with India taking over from Indonesia in November 2023 and handing it to Brazil in November 2024. South Africa is set to pass the mantle to the US next, even as the American President stays away from the Johannesburg meeting.
“With the next G20 Summit scheduled to be held in the US, and with President Trump repeatedly claiming credit 61 times in the past seven months for halting Operation Sindoor, one can only imagine how many more times he will repeat this in the next year,” Ramesh said.
He added, “Whether huglomacy revives, whether there are only handshakes, or whether Mr. Modi avoids going altogether time will tell.”
In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi said he would present India’s perspective in line with the vision of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ and ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future.’ “This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa,” he posted on X, adding that he would meet several world leaders and attend the sixth IBSA Summit on the sidelines.
Modi is visiting South Africa at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Ministry of External Affairs said the PM is expected to speak in all three sessions of the Summit, which is themed ‘Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability.’
The G20 represents 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world’s population, comprising major economies including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Africa, the UK, the US, the European Union and the African Union.