In a sharp criticism of the Centre, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the Modi government of systematically dismantling a long-standing democratic convention that ensures foreign dignitaries meet the Leader of Opposition during official India visits.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Gandhi claimed that global leaders are being informally advised against engaging with him during their India trips—an unprecedented break from protocol followed by successive governments.
“Since the days of Vajpayee ji and Manmohan Singh ji, every major visiting delegation met the LoP. It was routine, part of India’s democratic fabric,” Rahul Gandhi said. “But now, whenever I travel abroad or leaders arrive here, they are quietly told not to meet me. People abroad directly told us they received such instructions. This is happening regularly.”
Calling the move an outcome of the ruling establishment’s “deep insecurity”, the LoP argued that foreign leaders benefit from hearing multiple perspectives from India’s political landscape. “We also represent India. The LoP provides an alternate viewpoint. But the government wants a one-narrative system. They don’t want us to interact internationally,” he added.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra echoed the charge, describing the government’s approach as “strange and undemocratic”.
“There has always been a protocol — foreign dignitaries meet the Leader of Opposition,” she said. “Now this government is reversing every democratic norm. They don’t want anyone to raise their voice, they don’t want to hear any differing opinion. What are they so afraid of?”
Priyanka Gandhi added that the move damages India’s global democratic image. “Such insecurity weakens institutions. Breaking protocol doesn’t hide anything — it only exposes fear.”
The remarks come hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin lands in New Delhi for his two-day visit. While his schedule includes meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is no mention of an interaction with Opposition leaders. Officials from the Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on whether such a meeting was requested or denied.
