Ramaphosa’s Lighthearted Jab at Modi Over Summit Struggles

In a moment of levity amid high-stakes diplomacy, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa quipped to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that he wished for an early warning about the rigors of chairing a G20 summit, perhaps prompting a hasty retreat.

The exchange unfolded during bilateral discussions on Sunday, as Ramaphosa hosted the landmark gathering—the first G20 leaders’ summit ever convened on African soil. Addressing the India-South Africa delegation-level talks, the president extended gratitude to India for its pivotal assistance in navigating the complexities of the event.

India’s backing proved invaluable, Ramaphosa noted, before adding with a chuckle: “You should have told us that it is such a difficult task, maybe we would have run away.” The room erupted in laughter, with Modi and attendees joining in the amusement.

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Reflecting on lessons drawn from India’s own tenure, Ramaphosa praised the 2023 edition under Modi’s leadership as “spectacular,” particularly in its ambitious infrastructure. “We have learned a lot from your hosting of the G20… building… ours is really small,” he remarked.

Modi responded swiftly and wittily: “Small is always beautiful.” The Indian summit, held in September 2023 at the newly unveiled Bharat Mandapam convention center in New Delhi, marked a grand finale to a year of ministerial, official, and civil society engagements across the G20 framework.

A highlight of India’s presidency was the formal inclusion of the African Union as a permanent member, amplifying the group’s representation of the Global South. For South Africa, now at the helm, the event underscores a historic milestone in elevating Africa’s voice on the world stage, even as Ramaphosa’s humor highlights the formidable coordination it demands.