New Delhi – The Union government on Thursday refuted claims made by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi regarding a supposed restriction on the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha from meeting visiting foreign dignitaries. Gandhi had alleged that the government discourages foreign visitors from interacting with the opposition, a practice he said broke with long-standing parliamentary traditions. The Centre, however, clarified that meetings outside official government channels are entirely at the discretion of visiting delegations.

The remarks by Rahul Gandhi came in the context of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing two-day state visit to India, which includes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Gandhi’s comments immediately drew support from key opposition figures, including his sister and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, as well as Samajwadi Party MP Dimple Yadav, prompting a swift rebuttal from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegation and Opposition Backing

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Rahul Gandhi claimed that the government has been “suggesting” that visiting dignitaries avoid meetings with the LoP, a practice he said undermines parliamentary norms. “This has been a tradition. But these days, foreign dignitaries visit, or when I visit abroad, the government suggests that they not meet the LoP. This is their policy, and they do it all the time,” Gandhi asserted.

Gandhi emphasized that opposition leaders provide a distinct perspective in international engagements, representing India in a manner complementary to the government. “We have relations with everyone. LoP gives a different perspective. We too represent India. It is not just the government which does it. The government doesn’t want the Opposition meeting people from outside. Modi ji and the Foreign Ministry don’t follow this norm. It is their insecurity,” he added.

His sister, Priyanka Gandhi, echoed his criticism, describing the alleged practice as “very weird” and asserting that protocol requires visiting dignitaries to meet the LoP. “All visiting dignitaries meet the LoP. The protocol is being reversed by the government and all their policies are based on this. They don’t want anyone to raise their voice…” she said.

Dimple Yadav, a Samajwadi Party MP, also voiced her support, observing that “many traditions have changed; this is one more in that series. Whenever any foreign diplomat or leader came, they would meet both the ruling side and the opposition leaders. So the BJP is changing these traditions…”

Centre and BJP’s Rebuttal

The BJP-led government quickly countered the allegations, stating that the organization of meetings with foreign dignitaries falls under the jurisdiction of the visiting delegation. “During a visit, the Ministry of External Affairs organizes meetings for the incoming dignitary with Government officials and Government bodies. It is up to the visiting delegation to organize meetings outside the government,” sources told ANI.

Officials further noted that meetings between the LoP and visiting dignitaries have continued in recent years, providing a list of examples to highlight that the practice has not been systematically blocked. Leaders who have met the LoP since mid-2024 include former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 10, 2024; Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Ching on August 1, 2024; Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on August 21, 2024; Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam on September 16, 2025; and New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on March 8, 2025.

BJP leaders characterized Rahul Gandhi’s statements as “inappropriate” and “factually incorrect.” Party spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra said, “The way Rahul Gandhi ji has spoken today is not only inappropriate, but I feel it is wrong. This does not present India in a good light. This statement is without any facts.”

Patra argued that Gandhi’s claims about government insecurity were baseless. “Rahul Gandhi said that the Government of India does not allow the LoP to meet the foreign dignitaries who come because the Government of India has a sense of insecurity. Why would there be insecurity in the Government of India?” he asked, asserting that Gandhi was creating an unnecessary dispute and “overestimating himself.”

Patra also highlighted India’s global stature, noting, “Today India is the fourth-largest economic power. Today, India has a stature in the world, so there is probably no insecurity… I think he’s overestimating himself.”

Timing Amid High-Profile Diplomatic Engagements

The timing of Gandhi’s remarks coincides with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit, which began on Thursday. Putin’s visit includes the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit with Prime Minister Modi, and the two leaders are expected to discuss issues ranging from defense and energy cooperation to trade and high-technology partnerships.

The visit has drawn attention from global observers, particularly in the US and Europe, as India continues to maintain close ties with Russia even amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Gandhi’s comments appeared to suggest that the opposition was being sidelined in such high-profile diplomatic engagements, prompting rapid pushback from government sources eager to clarify procedural norms.

Broader Implications for Parliamentary Protocol

The incident underscores ongoing debates over the role of the opposition in India’s parliamentary democracy, particularly concerning diplomatic engagement. Traditionally, opposition leaders have met visiting dignitaries to provide an alternative perspective on India’s policies and to maintain a non-partisan channel of communication with foreign governments. Critics argue that any deviation from this practice could weaken democratic norms and reduce the visibility of dissenting voices.

However, the government maintains that such meetings are not mandated but rather organized according to the discretion of visiting delegations. By providing examples of recent LoP interactions with foreign leaders, the Centre seeks to demonstrate that no systemic barrier exists and that opposition leaders continue to enjoy access when requested by foreign dignitaries.

Conclusion

Rahul Gandhi’s claim regarding restrictions on LoP meetings with foreign dignitaries has sparked a political debate at a sensitive moment during Russia’s state visit to India. While the opposition has voiced concerns about deviations from established protocols, the government has categorically denied any intentional sidelining of opposition leaders.

As Putin’s visit progresses and discussions with Prime Minister Modi advance, the episode highlights the tension between political narratives and procedural realities in India’s diplomatic engagements. For now, both the LoP and the ruling government continue to assert their respective positions, reflecting the broader dynamics of India’s parliamentary and diplomatic framework in an era of heightened international scrutiny.