Rahul Gandhi accuses govt of blocking LoP meetings with foreign leaders

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday (December 4, 2025) alleged that the government discourages visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting the Leader of the Opposition (LoP), calling it a break from democratic tradition and a sign of “insecurity.” His remarks came hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India.

“It has been a tradition that foreign leaders meet the LoP. This happened during Vajpayee ji and Manmohan Singh ji’s time. But now, when I go abroad or when dignitaries come here, the government tells them not to meet me,” Mr. Gandhi told reporters in Parliament. Such meetings, he said, offer visiting leaders “another perspective,” adding, “We also represent India.”

Asked why the government was doing so, he said, “It is their insecurity.”

Echoing his views, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Every democracy has a protocol which should be followed. The government wants to capture everything, silence other voices, and is breaking protocols. This reflects insecurity.”

Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal termed the practice a “time-tested democratic tradition” that enriches India’s international engagement. “Those who only wish to speak their own Mann ki Baat have no regard for these traditions,” he posted on X.