New Delhi, August 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday stressed the importance of maintaining mutual respect and diplomatic protocol in India’s relations with Italy following remarks by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at an event in New Delhi.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, responding to questions during the ministry’s bi-weekly media briefing, said India’s relationship with Italy had strengthened and expanded in recent years and emphasised the importance of conducting bilateral relations with mutual understanding and respect.
“We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every which way. And, it’s important that as part of diplomatic practice that we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind and being respectful to each other and there’s mutual understanding between the two sides,” Jaiswal said.
The MEA response followed remarks made by Gandhi at an event in New Delhi on Thursday, where he criticised the government’s foreign policy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to diplomacy. During the event, Gandhi also mocked Modi’s public embraces with foreign leaders by staging a hug with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit.
Dikshit subsequently brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange, making remarks that drew criticism from political opponents, who described them as crude and inappropriate.
The episode triggered a political controversy, with leaders from the BJP condemning Gandhi’s conduct. BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj accused the Congress leader of using “locker-room talk and cheap innuendos” and said his conduct was unbecoming of the office of Leader of the Opposition.
She said Gandhi appeared “less like the Leader of the Opposition and more like a failed stand-up comedian”, arguing that the country deserved greater dignity from the holder of the constitutional position.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the remarks, saying disagreement with Modi’s policies was legitimate but involving a foreign woman leader in what he described as a crude joke was neither wit nor statesmanship.
Critics maintained that the Opposition has every right to question the government’s foreign policy, international relationships and approach to personal diplomacy, but argued that such criticism should focus on policy, facts and outcomes.
The remarks came at an event titled “Rachnatmak Congress”, with critics questioning whether the conduct reflected the stated theme of constructive politics.
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