New Delhi, Nov 28 (UNI) Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh on Friday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to actively champion South Africa’s cause following US President Donald Trump’s announcement that South Africa will not be invited to the 2026 G20 summit in Miami.
Taking to social media platform X, Ramesh emphasized South Africa’s importance as Africa’s largest economy by GDP and its historic ties with India through forums like BRICS, IBSA, and the BASIC grouping. “The Prime Minister styles himself as champion of Africa and the Global South… Will he now press his ‘good friend’ Trump to ensure South Africa gets its rightful place at the next G20?” he questioned, reflecting concerns echoed by Indian officials over the diplomatic fallout of the exclusion.
Trump’s decision followed his boycott of the recent Johannesburg G20 summit, citing alleged “human-rights abuses” against white Afrikaners—a claim dismissed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office as “punitive” and based on “misinformation.”
Ramesh highlighted the deep historical relationship between India and South Africa, referencing Mahatma Gandhi’s early activism in the country and India’s longstanding support for the anti-apartheid movement. He called this a “special relationship” that warrants strong diplomatic support.
The call from Ramesh comes amid wider international reactions, with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz also expressing intent to persuade Trump to reconsider South Africa’s exclusion, stating that “the G7 and G20 are formats that should not be made smaller without good reason.”
As global powers weigh in, India’s stance on South Africa’s participation in the next G20 summit will be closely watched as a test of its commitment to the Global South and regional diplomacy. UNI SKA AAB
