Congress backs Rahul Gandhi’s foreign policy jibe at PM Modi, says remarks were not aimed at any leader

New Delhi, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

The Congress on Friday defended Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on the Narendra Modi government’s foreign policy, with party leaders saying he had not mocked any foreign leader and had merely criticised the Prime Minister’s diplomatic style.

Gandhi had taken a swipe at the government’s foreign policy while speaking at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi on Thursday, suggesting that Prime Minister Modi’s diplomacy was primarily associated with hugging foreign leaders.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, who attended the event, said Gandhi was speaking about foreign policy and had not mocked anyone.

“Rahul Gandhi didn’t mock anyone; he was just talking about our foreign policy,” Tiwari told IANS.

He also referred to remarks previously made by Prime Minister Modi and BJP leaders, including Modi’s “Didi, O Didi” reference to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the description of Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury as “Surpanakha” in Parliament.

“Rahul Gandhi has been called names; he may have forgotten all of it,” Tiwari said, adding that the BJP should not turn an individual remark into a major controversy.

Congress MP Tariq Anwar said the matter should not be taken too seriously, describing Gandhi’s comments as having been made in a lighter vein.

Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai said Gandhi had not named any individual and was only commenting on what he described as the Prime Minister’s style of conducting foreign engagements.

Congress MP Jebi Mather questioned the BJP’s response, saying the party was overreacting to Gandhi’s remarks instead of ignoring them.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also clarified that Gandhi was not referring specifically to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He said Gandhi was commenting on the Prime Minister’s foreign visits and the gestures associated with them.

Congress leader Udit Raj similarly defended Gandhi’s criticism, saying that what he described as unnecessary hugs, laughter and handshakes during foreign engagements affected the dignity of the Prime Minister and, in his view, weakened India’s foreign policy.