Johnathan Paoli
In an awkward situation at the Waterkloof Air Force Base, the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, initially refused to disembark from his aircraft after deeming the welcome the Indian delegation received as a slap in the face.
Unlike the Chinese President, Xi Jinping’s welcome in the person of President Cyril Ramaphosa himself, the Indian leader was initially greeted by a Cabinet Minister.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile was summarily dispatched from the Union Building formalities to hastily meet Prime Minister Modi and conduct a welcome more befitting for a head of state for a country as large as India.
This follows on what can only be described as an intense reception of the Chinese delegation, with an abbreviated state visit on Monday, the awarding of South Africa’s highest official award, the Order of South Africa; and the announcement that Presidents Ramaphosa and Xi will be co-chairing a special round-table with other African leaders for an outreach session.
In addition, over eleven agreements have been signed between the leaders, including engaging with the trade deficit between the two countries as well as China’s donation of energy equipment to assist South Africa in power disruptions and load shedding.
There have also been hints towards discussions between the two leaders for China supporting a possible permanent seat representing Africa on the UN Security Council.
Relations between China and India have been tense, both historically as well as the more recent military standoffs between the two mega nations, along an ill-defined, 3,440km-long disputed border.
While bilateral discussions have been proposed during the Summit, it remains unknown how the situation between the two countries will pan out during the convergence of the BRICS member states.
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