President Pratibha Patil has been given an embarrassing reception in Brazil and Mexico. In Mexico, her appearance at the Senate was cancelled and in Brazil, she had a 15-member audience. One assumes that there were official reasons provided.
If one wonders why, it is very simple. She is an un-inspiring, old-fashioned, dull and inarticulate Congress party hack who has found herself in a position that she neither understands nor can perform well in. She also represents India of the 50s and 60s and does not present a modern image of the country.
If I were invited to listen to her speak, I would decline as well unless it coincides with an afternoon siesta.
Modern day international politics is as much about image, public relations, branding and inspiration as it is about protocol, relationships and policies. China understand this very well. Indian government still lives in Khadi diplomacy era to a certain extent.