Rahul Gandhi Criticizes Government Over Absence of Opposition-Putin Meeting

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the government for excluding Opposition leaders from meetings with foreign dignitaries. He said past governments ensured visiting leaders met both the Treasury and Opposition benches. Gandhi alleged the current administration deliberately abandoned this tradition, undermining parliamentary norms. Speaking ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s arrival in New Delhi, he said the Opposition should have a role in bilateral discussions. He called the government’s actions insecure and aimed at preventing alternative perspectives on India’s positions, emphasizing that transparency and democratic consultation are critical in international diplomacy.

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Rahul Gandhi Accuses Government of Excluding Opposition from Key Diplomatic Meetings

President Putin is scheduled to land in Delhi around 4:30 pm, with PM Modi hosting a private dinner. The dinner reciprocates Modi’s visit to Moscow last year. Formal talks on Friday will focus on defence cooperation, protecting India-Russia trade from external pressures, and collaborating on small modular nuclear reactors. The visit comes amid a downturn in India-US relations. Both countries plan to review ongoing strategic and defence agreements. Officials stressed that the engagement will strengthen long-term bilateral ties and reinforce India’s strategic autonomy in global diplomacy.

Congress highlighted the historical significance of Indo-Soviet relations, referring to the 1955 visits of Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev. The Soviet leaders spent nineteen days in India, followed by a second visit in December 1955, strengthening bilateral ties. These visits laid the foundation for defence, energy, and public sector collaborations, including HAL’s MiG aircraft production. ONGC, IDPL, and other companies benefited from these partnerships, shaping India’s industrial development. Congress argued that current India-Russia relations are rooted in this historical foundation and that sidelining the Opposition ignores long-standing democratic consultation practices in foreign policy.

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India-Russia Talks Focus on Defence, Trade, and Strategic Collaboration Amid Global Tensions

Jairam Ramesh shared archival footage of the Soviet leaders’ visits and emphasized their role in shaping India’s strategic capabilities. He said HAL, ONGC, and IDPL benefited from technology transfers that continue to influence defence and energy projects. Ramesh criticized the government for preventing Opposition leaders from participating in similar diplomatic engagements today. He called for adherence to parliamentary traditions and bipartisan consultation during high-level foreign visits. According to him, including the Opposition strengthens transparency, accountability, and long-term decision-making in India’s foreign policy, ensuring lessons from history are respected in modern diplomacy.

President Putin will depart India around 9:30 pm after a 28-hour visit. The engagement includes bilateral talks, defence agreements, and strategic cooperation discussions. Both sides aim to expand trade, protect defence ties, and collaborate on nuclear and energy projects. Rahul Gandhi’s criticism highlights domestic political concerns over excluding Opposition consultation in such meetings. The visit demonstrates India’s commitment to maintaining long-term partnerships while balancing global relations. Historical references reinforce the enduring India-Russia strategic partnership. Officials said the talks will enhance cooperation and reflect India’s approach to autonomous, balanced diplomacy in a complex international environment.

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