Rahul, Priyanka Criticise Modi Govt, Claim Opposition Not Allowed to Meet Putin
Congress leaders claim protocol ignored, LoP denied access to visiting dignitaries including Russian President Putin
New Delhi, Dec 4: The Congress on Thursday criticised the Narendra Modi government, alleging it is denying opposition leaders the traditional right to meet visiting foreign dignitaries.
Speaking outside Parliament, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, said the current government has broken a long-standing tradition. “Generally, whenever a foreign dignitary visited India, the LoP used to meet them. This was the case during the Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh governments. But this is no longer happening,” Rahul said.
He further claimed that the government exhibits insecurity even when he travels abroad. “Whenever I visit other countries, officials advise that foreign leaders should not meet the LoP. The LoP provides a second perspective and represents India, but the government does not want us to engage with visiting dignitaries. PM Modi and the foreign ministry are ignoring this tradition out of insecurity,” he added.
Supporting her brother’s remarks, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Modi government is acting against protocol. “It is standard practice that visiting dignitaries meet the LoP. This government’s policy, however, prevents other voices from rising. Their fear and insecurity endanger the democratic process,” she asserted.
The comments come ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India for the 23rd India–Russia Annual Summit, which will cover defence, energy, and economic cooperation. This is Putin’s first trip to India since the Ukraine conflict began in February 2022. The visit also follows US sanctions on India over its purchase of Russian oil, which the US claims is funding Russia’s war in Ukraine.
