# Rahul Gandhi mocks Modi hug diplomacy after Meloni joke

2026-08-13T15:05:52+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 3 independent outlets

Rahul Gandhi mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'hug diplomacy' at the Rachnatmak Congress convention on Thursday, hugging Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage. Dikshit joked, 'You weren't hugging me thinking I was Meloni?' Gandhi replied, 'I haven't reached that stage yet.' The exchange triggered social media outrage, with users accusing the leaders of misogyny. Gandhi also questioned India's foreign policy, saying Pakistan mediated in the Iran conflict while India stood by. He claimed China blocked Indian patrols in Arunachal and called the BJP-RSS a 'bunch of jokers', alleging they failed to understand India. BJP spokesperson Tuhin Sinha called Gandhi's conduct 'despicable' and 'perverse'.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/modi-thinks-foreign-policy-is-this-rahul-mocks-pm-another-congress-leader-takes-meloni-swipe/articleshow/133212068.cms>
- english.mathrubhumi.com <https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/rahul-gandhi-slams-bjp-rss-modi-foreign-policy-k94yv4ud>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/rahul-gandhi-giorgia-meloni-remark-pm-narendra-modi-hug-diplomacy-row-article-155608199>

Tags: Arunachal, foreign policy, hug diplomacy, PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi, West Asia crisis
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