ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Pretoria, South Africa, on Friday, ahead of the G20 Summit scheduled for November 22–23 in Johannesburg, according to Indian media.
Since US President Donald Trump is skipping the G20 Summit, Modi’s decision to attend, after missing earlier international gatherings where Trump was present, gives credence to the Indian opposition's criticism that the Indian premier is “frightened” of the US president.
Modi, in a post on X on Friday, announced, “will be attending the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa. This is a particularly special Summit as it is being held in Africa. Various global issues will be discussed there. Will be meeting various world leaders during the Summit.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not attend two recent major international gatherings attended by the US president, -- the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia held on October 26–28 as well as the Sharm el-Sheikh summit in Egypt on October 13.
Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi had earlier tweeted that “PM Modi is frightened of Trump.”
The Indian opposition has also highlighted Modi’s contradictory stance during the May conflict with Pakistan. On one hand, India’s leadership claims no Indian Air Force planes were downed; on the other, the same leaders remain silent whenever Trump asserts that seven jets were destroyed.
Trump has additionally claimed credit for brokering peace between India and Pakistan, a claim Modi reportedly finds humiliating; yet has neither refuted nor directly addressed it with the US president.
.jpg)
