Now Reading: MEA urges respect after Congress jibe involving Giorgia Meloni
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MEA urges respect after Congress jibe involving Giorgia Meloni
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…
The Story in Brief
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.
The Indian Opinion
The row is being presented by some as either harmless political humour or proof of diplomatic misconduct. Both readings are too easy. Gandhi’s criticism of personalised diplomacy is a legitimate political argument, but the Meloni reference was avoidable and the BJP’s language has also pushed the dispute towards theatre. The practical test is whether India-Italy cooperation continues to deepen, not how loudly leaders trade accusations. What new bilateral outcome will show that mutual respect still guides the relationship?
Sources (6): deccanherald.com, newindianexpress.com, indiatoday.in, siasat.com, timesnownews.com, ndtv.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 6 sources.
