From namaste to hugs: Modi’s charm offensive in Johannesburg

From a traditional namaskar at the entrance to warm embraces in the plenary hall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the G20 Summit in Johannesburg unfolded like a tapestry of personal diplomacy — rich in symbolism, spontaneity and unmistakable warmth.

As Modi arrived at the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday morning, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa stepped forward with folded hands. The gesture — rooted in Indian ethos — set the tone for the day.

The two leaders exchanged easy smiles and a brief, cheerful conversation before walking into the summit venue, offering the first glimpse of the camaraderie that marked India’s engagement at the global forum.

Inside the hall, the mood grew visibly warmer. Modi was seen sharing hugs with several world leaders, including Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, reflecting the personal rapport that has become a defining element of his global outreach. He also exchanged greetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the two leaders chatting briefly amid the formal proceedings.

But the warmth extended far beyond the G20’s official corridors. A day earlier, as the PM stepped onto South African soil, Johannesburg had prepared a welcome steeped in cultural reverence.

A troupe of performers greeted him at the airport, bowing respectfully in a gesture that mirrored traditional Indian hospitality. Children lined up to sing the ‘Ganapati Prarthana’, ‘Shanti mantra’ and other devotional hymns — a moment Modi later described as “heartwarming and timeless”.

“The cultural connect between India and South Africa is truly heartwarming and timeless,” he said after interacting with the young singers. Later, Modi posted on X: “Deeply touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in Johannesburg… These ties, rooted in history and strengthened by shared values, continue to grow even stronger!”

For the Indian diaspora in South Africa — many of whom trace their ancestry to the Girmitiya era — the moment was equally emotional. During a short performance titled ‘Rhythms of a United India’, community members showcased folk dances from 11 Indian states, celebrating not just geographical diversity but a collective memory carried across generations.

Modi also witnessed a stirring performance of the Girmitiya song ‘Ganga Maiya’, sung in both Hindi and Tamil. The rendition, he said, encapsulated “the hope and unwavering courage” of early Indian settlers and symbolised how “through songs and bhajans, they kept India alive in their hearts”.

In a summit dominated by weighty global challenges, these moments of cultural resonance and personal warmth turned Modi’s visit into far more than a diplomatic engagement. It became a reminder of India’s deep people-to-people ties with South Africa and a showcase of how soft power often speaks as loudly as geopolitics.