# MEA urges respect after Congress jibe involving Giorgia Meloni

2026-08-14T15:40:22+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 6 independent outlets

The External Affairs Ministry on Friday urged mutual respect in public discourse after a Congress exchange involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni triggered criticism. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and Italy share strong ties that have expanded and strengthened in recent years. He said diplomatic practice must respect both countries and their mutual understanding. At a Congress convention a day earlier, Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy as focused on hugging foreign leaders. He hugged party leader Sandeep Dikshit to make the point. Dikshit then referred to Meloni, prompting Gandhi’s reply that he had “not reached there yet”. The BJP condemned the exchange and Gandhi’s wider remarks about the BJP and RSS.

## Coverage

- deccanherald.com <https://www.deccanherald.com/india/show-respect-mea-on-political-jibe-at-italian-pm-giorgia-meloni-4111422>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Aug/14/mea-urges-respectful-approach-amid-row-over-remarks-on-italian-pm-meloni>
- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-has-strong-ties-with-italy-remarks-should-be-respectful-government-on-congress-leaders-meloni-jab-2971375-2026-08-14?utm_source=rss>
- siasat.com <https://www.siasat.com/congress-meloni-jibe-mea-harps-india-italy-ties-bjp-hits-out-3524801/>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/we-have-strong-ties-with-italy-mea-reacts-to-congress-meloni-jibe-article-155625869>
- ndtv.com <https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/share-deep-and-strong-ties-with-italy-centre-on-congress-meloni-jibe-11910534#publisher=newsstand>

Tags: Congress, Giorgia Meloni, Italy, MEA, Narendra Modi, Rahul Gandhi
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