The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday defended India’s relationship with Italy, pushing back against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the Modi government’s foreign policy approach.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded directly to Gandhi’s remarks about the government’s ties with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, asserting that India’s relationship with Italy is strong and built on mutual respect and understanding. Jaiswal added that bilateral ties have strengthened and expanded significantly in recent years, growing across multiple dimensions, and stressed the importance of maintaining that mutual respect in ongoing diplomatic engagement. He noted that both countries share a common understanding that their relationship should keep deepening while respecting each other’s interests and perspectives.
The MEA’s comments came after Gandhi criticized the government’s diplomatic style during public remarks, arguing that a Prime Minister’s core responsibility is to safeguard India’s national interests rather than cultivate personal friendships with foreign leaders. Gandhi said the Prime Minister of India isn’t simply visiting a friend’s house when engaging with world leaders — the role isn’t about personal friendship, but about protecting the country. He also questioned the broader assumption that foreign policy success is measured by displays of personal warmth between leaders.
To illustrate his point, Gandhi hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage during his remarks, using the gesture as a pointed jab at what he characterized as the government’s emphasis on symbolic diplomatic gestures over substantive national interest.
Gandhi’s comments triggered a swift political backlash, with several senior BJP leaders accusing him of using inappropriate language while attacking the government’s diplomatic record. He further remarked that he was unsure how the notion took hold that foreign policy could be reduced to leaders embracing one another, adding that he didn’t know where the idea originated.
The exchange marks the latest flashpoint between the Congress and the BJP over India’s foreign policy conduct, with both sides trading barbs over the substance versus symbolism of India’s diplomatic engagements.