Modi Uses ‘Bharat’ for G20 Nameplate, Not India, amid Name-Change Row

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Modi Uses ‘Bharat’ for G20 Nameplate, Not India, amid Name-Change Row

 Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures to welcome US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention center for the G20 Summit in New Delhi, India, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's placard at the opening of the G20 summit on Saturday referred to India as "Bharat", raising speculation of a change of name for the South Asian nation.

India is also called Bharat, Bharata, Hindustan - its pre-colonial names - in Indian languages and these are used interchangeably by the public and officially.

While the country has traditionally stuck to using India in titles such as president or prime minister while communicating in English, President Droupadi Murmu earlier this week referred to herself as the "President of Bharat" in a dinner invitation for a reception of G20 leaders, sparking controversy.

As Modi declared the summit in New Delhi open on Saturday, he sat behind a table nameplate that read "Bharat", while the G20 logo had both names - "Bharat" written in Hindi and "India" in English.

Such placards have used "India" in the past.

Speaking in Hindi, the language spoken by a majority of the population, Modi said "Bharat welcomes the delegates as the President of the G20".

New Delhi is hosting leaders of major economies for the bloc's summit at a new, $300 million conch-shaped convention center called Bharat Mandapam, opposite a 16th-century stone fort.

While some supporters of the name Bharat say "India" was given by British colonizers, historians say the name predates colonial rule by centuries.

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological parent of the ruling Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), has always insisted on calling the country Bharat.

Modi's rivals say the change has been forced by the new opposition alliance formed by 28 parties in July called INDIA or Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, to take on BJP in parliamentary elections next year.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office did not respond to a request for comment.



Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka
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Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

Ministry of Culture to Host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka

The Ministry of Culture will host Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka, Japan, from July 12 to 15, 2025, at Expo Gallery EAST.

The event highlights the "Year of Handicrafts 2025" as a key aspect of Saudi cultural heritage, showcasing the quality and creativity of Saudi handmade products to the Japanese and international communities. It also coincides with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom and Japan, SPA reported.

Taking part in the event are the Heritage Commission, the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (Wrth), and the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Global Center for Arabic Calligraphy, each presenting a series of interactive activities that celebrate Saudi heritage and reflect its rich cultural depth and historical roots.

The King Abdulaziz Foundation for Research and Archives (Darah) will showcase photographic content that highlights the historical and cultural ties between the Kingdom and Japan.

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 will feature over 700 cultural activities, offering visitors an immersive experience of the Kingdom’s rich heritage. It will also showcase Saudi Arabia’s efforts in sustainability and national transformation through creative, informative presentations that reflect its traditions, progress, and future vision.

The Saudi Cultural Week in Osaka is part of a series of cultural weeks regularly organized by the Ministry of Culture to promote international cultural exchange.

The event aims to deepen cultural ties between the Kingdom and Japan, foster connections between their peoples, and open new avenues for international collaboration in creative fields, contributing to the global presence and influence of Saudi culture.