Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s penchant for hugs has made international headlines, not once, not twice but on several occasions. It is almost always, that instead of a formal handshake, Modi opts for a hug, making situations a little awkward to say the least.
Modi took it one step too far last year, when he locked his arms around US President Barrack Obama’s waist. Despite images making rounds on social media, Modi was not deterred, and was back with his hugs during French President Francois Hollande’s visit to India.
We look back at some of Modi’s most memorable hugs.
He tried..
PHOTO: THEWEEK
And he tried again:
PHOTO: REUTERS
Maybe he was just in love with Obama’s suit!
PHOTO: QUARTZ
French President Francois Hollande was okay with a hug…
PHOTO: REUTERS
Until Modi decided this was the French way to hug..
PHOTO: TWITTER
And it doesn’t end there..
PHOTO: PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
And nor did it end with our very own Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif..
PHOTO: PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU
Modi took his hugs to Japan…
PHOTO: REUTERS
…And to UAE
PHOTO: UNREAL TIMES
At least Mark Zuckerberg accepted his ‘friend(ly) request’
PHOTO: FIRSTPOST
Maybe it’s about time Modi realises the world is watching him
PHOTO: AFP
PHOTO: REUTERS
Here is how some reacted to his recent hug:
Modi ji is the only person on earth who knows how 2 recreate Titanic , without a ship Chandigarh pic.twitter.com/NsX6E0mGE3
— CANeha (@Nk3010Neha) January 24, 2016
Mr. and Mrs. Hollande on their way to Panipath. pic.twitter.com/sPtUFkOIls
— Swachh Politics (@SwachhPolitics) January 25, 2016
After the Awkward Hug, Holande turned back to escape Modi but… pic.twitter.com/VyIcjbnTqa
— Joy (@Joydas) January 24, 2016
The post It’s the hug life: Modi’s unique style of meeting world leaders appeared first on The Express Tribune.