EMBRACING DIPLOMACY, THE MODI WAY

Embraces areas old as time and twice as charming

- ANURAG PUNETHA

"In our part of the world, when people meet, they tend to embrace each other. It may not be part of your culture, but I assure you, it is part of ours. In fact, today I saw Prime Minister Modi embrace President Zelenskyy, and I’ve seen him do it with a number of other leaders in various places. So, I think there is a slight cultural gap in terms of what these courtesies mean,” said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, his words laced with the subtle irritation of someone who has grown weary of explaining the obvious.

Jaishankar’s statement, delivered with his usual diplomatic finesse, offers a succinct summary of the debate surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugging world leaders. What may appear to some as an overly familiar or even awkward gesture is, in reality, a profound expression of India’s cultural heritage—a practice deeply rooted in traditions that stretch back thousands of years. The Prime Minister’s embraces are not just spontaneous displays of affection; they are intentional acts steeped in the ancient customs of “aalingan”, where a hug symbolizes trust, respect, and a connection that goes beyond mere words.