NEW DELHI: Congress on Friday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he left for Johannesburg, the venue for this yr’s G20 Summit. Congress chief Jairam Ramesh urged the prime minister was attending the occasion “safely and securely” as a result of US President Donald Trump has chosen to boycott it, and questioned whether or not “huglomacy” with “my good pal” would revive when the subsequent Summit takes place within the US.The prime minister launched into a three-day go to to South Africa on Friday to attend the G20 Summit.
Ramesh, Congress normal secretary in control of communications, famous that the subsequent G20 Summit, a yr from now, will probably be held in the USA and that by then India’s commerce “(or)deal” with Washington would presumably be accomplished.“But when previously seven months, President Trump has claimed 61 occasions that he halted Operation Sindoor, think about what number of extra occasions he’ll repeat these claims within the subsequent twelve months,” Ramesh stated on X.He stated the prime minister was attending the Johannesburg Summit “safely and securely” since “President Trump and the US are boycotting the summit”.“Recall that Mr Modi did not go to Kuala Lumpur a number of days again for the India-Asean Summit since he would then have to return face-to-face with President Trump,” he added.Calling the scenario “extraordinary,” Ramesh criticised US Secretary of State Marco Rubio for opposing South Africa’s G20 themes of solidarity, equality and sustainability on grounds that they amounted to anti-Americanism.“It’s by the way the exact same Marco Rubio who was the primary, at 5:37 PM on Might tenth, to announce to the world the abrupt halt to Operation Sindoor,” he stated.Ramesh additionally identified that the G20 presidency rotates yearly: India assumed it from Indonesia in November 2023 and handed it to Brazil in November 2024. South Africa is now set handy it to the US, which won’t be current on the Summit.“So the subsequent G20 Summit a yr from now will probably be within the US. By then, presumably, India’s commerce (or)take care of the US will probably be finished. But when previously seven months, President Trump has claimed 61 occasions that he halted Operation Sindoor, think about what number of extra occasions he’ll repeat these claims within the subsequent twelve months,” he reiterated.“Will huglomacy with ‘my good pal’ revive or whether or not there will probably be simply handshakes or whether or not Mr. Modi does not go — time alone will inform,” he stated.In his departure assertion, Modi stated he would current India’s perspective on the discussion board consistent with its imaginative and prescient of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” and “One Earth, One Household and One Future”.“Shall be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. It is a significantly particular Summit as it’s being held in Africa. Varied international points will probably be mentioned there. Shall be assembly varied world leaders through the Summit,” Modi posted on X.On the sidelines, the prime minister is anticipated to carry a number of bilateral conferences and also will attend the sixth IBSA Summit. He’s visiting South Africa from November 21–23 on the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.This yr’s G20 theme is “Solidarity, Equality and Sustainability”.The Ministry of Exterior Affairs stated on Wednesday that Modi is anticipated to talk in all three periods of the Summit.The G20 represents 85% of world GDP, 75% of worldwide commerce, and two-thirds of the world’s inhabitants. Its members embrace Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkiye, the UK, the US, the EU and the African Union.