NEW DELHI: During the G-20 Summit held in New Delhi on September 9, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was identified as the representative leader of 'Bharat' as he commenced the two-day meeting with his opening remarks.
The Indian government deliberately incorporated the term 'Bharat,' an official reference to the nation as per the Constitution, alongside 'India' in various official G-20 documents, affirming it as a deliberate choice.
As Prime Minister Modi addressed the assemblage at the Bharat Mandapam, the designated Summit venue, his name card unmistakably displayed 'Bharat.'
A noteworthy development emerged when G-20 delegates and other distinguished guests received dinner invitations from the 'President of Bharat.' This decision sparked a political controversy, with Opposition parties alleging that the government aimed to diminish the use of 'India' in the country's nomenclature. Some even connected this development to their decision to name their coalition 'INDIA.'
The ruling BJP party expressed support for the utilization of 'Bharat,' highlighting its deep cultural roots as an ancient Hindi name. Certain party leaders argued that the term 'India' had colonial connotations, dating back to the British era.
Nonetheless, the BJP has largely refrained from engaging in a contentious 'Bharat vs. India' debate, acknowledging that the Constitution employs both names to refer to the country.
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