The Congress on Friday took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming he is attending the G20 Summit in South Africa “safely and securely” only because US President Donald Trump has chosen to boycott the event. The party also wondered whether Modi’s “huglomacy” with his “good friend” will return when the next G20 Summit is hosted by the United States.
Prime Minister Modi began his three-day visit to Johannesburg on Friday to participate in the G20 Leaders’ Summit under South Africa’s presidency.
‘Trump’s claims will only grow’
Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh said the United States will host the next G20 Summit in 2025, and by then India’s pending trade agreements with Washington may be finalised.
Ramesh added that if President Trump has already claimed 61 times in the past seven months that he “halted Operation Sindoor,” he might repeat the assertion far more frequently over the next year.
According to Ramesh, Modi’s participation in the South Africa Summit is “safe” because the US and Trump are boycotting it. He also pointed out that Modi skipped the recent India–ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, which would have required him to be in the same room as Trump.
Criticism of US stance on G20 theme
Ramesh further said it was “extraordinary” that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio publicly criticised South Africa’s chosen G20 themes—solidarity, equality, and sustainability—calling them “anti-American.”
He noted that Rubio was the first to announce the sudden halt of Operation Sindoor on May 10.
G20 Presidency and the year ahead
Ramesh reminded that India had taken over the G20 Presidency from Indonesia in November 2023 and handed it over to Brazil in November 2024. South Africa will now pass the mantle to the United States, which is ironically absent from this year’s summit.
With the US set to host the next edition, the Congress leader said only time will tell whether Modi revives his trademark “huglomacy” with Trump, opts for formal handshakes—or avoids attending altogether.
Modi says India will share its global vision
Before departing for Johannesburg, Prime Minister Modi said he will present India’s perspective guided by the principles of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam and One Earth, One Family, One Future.
He said the Summit holds special significance as it is being held in Africa and will bring world leaders together to discuss key global challenges. Modi is also expected to participate in the sixth IBSA Summit and hold several bilateral meetings on the sidelines.
The G20 represents the world’s major economies, accounting for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade, and two-thirds of the global population.
