As Narendra Modi embarks on a three-day visit to South Africa to attend the G20 summit, the opposition party, led by Indian National Congress, has criticised the move, calling it “safe and symbolic” due to the absence of the US President. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh branded the government’s diplomacy as “hug-lomacy” and questioned the strategic gains of attending a summit reportedly being boycotted by major powers. Ministry officials defended the visit as a key opportunity for India to present its global vision, citing initiatives on climate, digital economy and trade. Analysts noted that while India’s participation retains importance, the geopolitical context  including shifts in global alignments  adds complexity to the messaging. The debate underscores the fine balance between external symbolism and tangible bilateral outcomes in large-format diplomacy.
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