Prime Minister Modi acquired a heat reception upon his arrival on Friday, the place a cultural troupe greeted him on the airport and bowed to him as an indication of respect. His welcome set the tone for a go to that displays India's long-standing engagement with South Africa.
As a part of this continued engagement, the go to marks Prime Minister Modi's fourth official journey to the nation, following earlier engagements for the BRICS Summits in 2018 and 2023 and a bilateral go to in 2016. His repeated visits underline the deepening partnership between the 2 nations.
Inserting his journey in a broader context, this yr's G-20 additionally suits right into a broader pattern, because it continues the summit's rotation by means of the International South for the fourth consecutive yr, after Indonesia, India and Brazil. South Africa has assumed the presidency for 2025, additional highlighting the area's increasing management function.
Alongside the multilateral setting, Prime Minister Modi started his bilateral engagements on Friday by assembly Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Their dialogue targeted on cooperation and ongoing areas of engagement between their international locations, including momentum to India's diplomatic outreach forward of the summit proceedings.
Along with official conferences, Prime Minister Modi additionally met a gaggle of Indian-origin tech entrepreneurs in Johannesburg. He wrote on X, “Met the winners of the Bharat Ko Janiye (Know India) Quiz in South Africa. This Quiz encourages members of our diaspora to be taught extra about India's historical past, tradition and extra. It actually strengthens our diaspora's join with India.”Persevering with his interactions, Prime Minister Modi held discussions with the chairman and CEO of Naspers about increasing investments in India's digital ecosystem, reflecting rising international curiosity in India's tech panorama.
Prime Minister Modi additionally shared his expertise at a cultural efficiency in Johannesburg, posting on X, “It was a really joyful and emotional expertise for us to witness the efficiency of the South African Girmitiya track ‘Ganga Maiya' in Johannesburg. One other particular facet of this efficiency was that the track was additionally sung in Tamil! This track embodies the hope and unwavering braveness of these individuals who got here right here a few years in the past. By these songs and bhajans, they saved India alive of their hearts. Subsequently, witnessing this cultural connection nonetheless vibrant in the present day is really commendable.”
