Govt Rejects Rahul Gandhi's Accusation of Meeting Denial, Says 'Up To The Visiting Delegation'

The central government pushed back on Thursday against Rahul Gandhi's allegation that he is being denied access to visiting foreign dignitaries in his role as Leader of the Opposition. The Congress leader had claimed that the tradition of such meetings was being disrupted by what he described as political insecurity.

Centre Says Foreign Delegations Decide Whom They Meet

Government sources clarified that the Ministry of External Affairs facilitates official meetings for visiting dignitaries and government bodies, while any interactions outside those channels are decided entirely by the visiting leader. Officials maintained that the Centre has not placed any restriction on meetings between foreign guests and the Opposition.

Rahul Gandhi had earlier said the long established practice of allowing the Leader of the Opposition to engage with visiting dignitaries was being undermined. "Normally, there is a tradition that whenever foreign dignitaries visit India, they meet the Leader of the Opposition. This used to happen during Atal Bihari Vajpayee's time and during Manmohan Singh's time, it has been a long-standing tradition," he said.

He further accused the government of steering delegations away from him. According to him, both the Prime Minister and the MEA attempt to restrict such interactions out of political insecurity. "But nowadays, what happens is that when foreign dignitaries come here, or when I travel abroad, the government suggests to them that they should not meet the Leader of the Opposition. This is their policy, they do this every time, whether I am travelling abroad or someone is visiting here," he added.

List of Dignitaries Who Have Met Rahul Gandhi

Despite his charge, the government pointed out that several foreign leaders have met Rahul Gandhi since he assumed office as LoP on 9 June 2024. These include:

• Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 10, 2024
• Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Ching on August 1, 2024
• Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim on August 21, 2024
• Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon on March 8, 2025
• Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam on September 16, 2025

Officials also noted that the LoP is traditionally invited to the President's banquet during state visits. Rahul Gandhi did not attend the banquet on the previous similar occasion.

Putin's High Profile Visit Sets the Context

Rahul Gandhi's remarks came as Russian President Vladimir Putin prepared to land in New Delhi on Wednesday evening. Putin was scheduled to arrive at AFS Palam at 6:35 pm and later join Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a private dinner, continuing the practice of reciprocal hospitality after PM Modi's visit to Moscow last year.

Putin will receive a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Friday morning, followed by a wreath laying at Rajghat. He will then hold bilateral talks with PM Modi at Hyderabad House, after which the two leaders will deliver press statements at 1:50 pm. His day's schedule also includes a business event and a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

A Significant Visit Amid International Tensions

This trip marks Putin's first visit to India in four years and his first since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. The visit is being closely watched for its diplomatic significance and the direction it could set for India Russia engagement.