# BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for ‘indecent’ hug jibe at PM Modi’s foreign policy

2026-08-14T08:46:49+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday called Rahul Gandhi's remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic style 'shameful' and 'indecent', saying they insulted India's international prestige. Gandhi, at a Congress convention on Thursday, hugged party colleague Sandeep Dikshit on stage while mocking Modi's habit of hugging foreign leaders, and retorted to Dikshit's joke about Italian PM Giorgia Meloni with 'I have not reached there yet.' BJP leaders including Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Gandhi of crossing 'every line of decency' and trying to sabotage foreign relations. The External Affairs Ministry said any point should be expressed respectfully. Congress defended Gandhi, insisting he did not name Meloni and was only criticising Modi's style. The row is expected to intensify.

## Coverage

- hindustantimes.com <https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/every-line-of-decency-crossed-uproar-rahul-gandhi-hug-dig-at-modi-government-foreign-policy-meloni-bjp-congress-101786690467807.html>
- indiatoday.in <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hurts-indias-international-prestige-rajnath-sings-calls-rahul-gandhi-pm-hug-remark-shameful-indecent-2971351-2026-08-14?utm_source=rss>

Tags: BJP, foreign policy, Giorgia Meloni, Modi govt, political controversy, Rahul Gandhi
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