Namaste is our culture.

In 2016, "Our dear Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, is a hugger. Not just any hugger. He is a serial, compulsive hugger. In the last one year, he has moved at such speed and hugged with so much force that the 'Modi-impact' has a different meaning altogether." The Quint. In response to questions about Mr Modi hugging Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy just six weeks after hugging Russian President Vladimir Putin, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar said, "In our part of the world, when people meet people, they are given to embracing each other, it may not be part of your culture but I can assure you it is part of our's." ET. Not sure which world the exalted minister is talking about. It may be common in his rarefied circle, but it is certainly not "part of our culture" for us, poor, humble citizens of India. The universal greeting in India is to place both palms together in front of the chest, as in prayer, to bend the head slightly forward and to say namaste or namaskar which is "more than just a casual greeting. It's a gesture, deeply ingrained in the rich tapestry of Indian culture, with profound spiritual significance." TOI. 'Namaste' is the common greeting, meaning 'my respectful salutations to you' and 'Namaskar' is more formal, meaning 'I bow to you with reverence'. yogapedia. It is also hygienic and was universally adopted by world leaders during the Covid pandemic. ET. It is not just about hugging Putin and Zelenskyy for the equal length of time and with equal pressure, "Bangladesh's interim government has revoked ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina's diplomatic passport," and so, "The cancellation of her diplomatic passport and its associated privileges may put her at risk of extradition." ET. This is the second time she has sought refuge in India. "On August 15, 1975, Sheikh Hasina's father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh was brutally assassinated along with 18 members of her family," and at that time Prime Minister Indira Gandhi protected her in Delhi in secret. HT. Mrs Gandhi had guts an gumption. The new government in Bangladesh will examine all the deals signed between India and the previous government. Pakistan is bankrupt and begging from China. In February, "China has rolled over a $2 billion loan to Pakistan." Reuters. Sri Lanka leased the Hambantota Port to China for 99 years in exchange for $1.12 billion. the Diplomat. Maldives elected Mohammed Muizu, as President and he "has perceptibly increased the distance between Male and New Delhi" and KP Sharma Oli is back as Prime Minister of Nepal for the fourth time. "Oli is seen as more favorable to Beijing than to New Delhi," wrote Rajrishi Singhal. India has the worst neighbors in the world, China being the most dangerous. "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far," advised US President Theodore Roosevelt. wikipedia. We could try "Hug tightly and carry a 'Bagh Nakh' (wikipedia)." Very messy. Better to stick to Namaste or Namaskar. Polite and hygienic.