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.
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. 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,.
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. Responding to media queries regarding the incident during a weekly press briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s growing bilateral partnership with Italy. “We have strong ties with Italy. 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.
