The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday called for maintaining diplomatic decorum and mutual respect in political discourse, following a controversy over remarks made by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit referencing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni while sharing a stage with Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
“We have strong ties with Italy.
Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every way, and it’s important that, as part of diplomatic practice, we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind and being respectful of each other and this mutual understanding between the two sides,” Jaiswal said.
Earlier reporting noted: MEA on Congress’ ‘Meloni jibe’: ‘India shares strong ties with Italy, based on mutual respect and understanding’ The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said India shares strong ties with Italy, based on mutual respect and understanding, in response to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s remarks criticising the government’s foreign policy and its ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The controversy erupted during a recent political convention in New Delhi, where Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy approach and his practice of publicly embracing foreign leaders. To demonstrate his critique on stage, Rahul Gandhi walked over and hugged party colleague Sandeep Dikshit. During the exchange, Dikshit remarked on the microphone, referencing Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, asking if the Lok Sabha LoP had embraced him, thinking he was the Italian leader. Congress MP Gandhi laughed and replied that he had not reached that stage. The Congress leader added that a government’s main duty is to protect national interests, not to hug foreign leaders. He questioned where the Prime Minister got the idea that hugging politicians equals good foreign policy. The Congress leader also criticized the Modi government for ruining India’s foreign policy. He pointed out that during the conflict involving Iran, India failed to use its good relations with Iran, the US, and Russia. He claimed that under strong leadership, this could have been a major opportunity for India, but instead, Pakistan acted as a peacemaker while India stood by doing nothing. He also claimed that Chinese troops stopped Indian soldiers from patrolling certain areas along the border in Arunachal Pradesh and alleged that the government pressured the media to hide this news. Finally, he accused the government of compromising national foreign policy for political and financial gain. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship.
Because their sole job is to protect the nation, he noted that his family attended an official state dinner and emphasized that a Prime Minister represents the country, not personal friendships,. Sharing a personal memory, he recalled visiting America when he was 12 years old with his mother and his grandmother, who was then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Referring to the 2020 Galwan border clash, he argued that mixed statements about land loss hurt India’s position when negotiating with China.
Earlier reporting noted: Gandhi’s remarks have triggered a political uproar, with several senior BJP leaders condemning what they described as “indecent” language. The Congress MP criticised the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy, saying the Prime Minister’s responsibility was to protect India’s interests rather than focus on “mere friendships” and public displays of warmth. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country,” Gandhi said.
Earlier reporting noted: “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house.
