New Delhi, 4 December (H.S.): Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday accused the government of preventing him from meeting foreign delegations and diplomats, calling the move a violation of democratic traditions. He alleged that such restrictions expose the insecurity of the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament premises, Gandhi said that traditionally, visiting foreign dignitaries have always met with both government officials and the Leader of the Opposition. “This practice dates back to the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh and even before that,” he noted, adding that the current government has broken this long-standing convention.

Gandhi further claimed that whenever he travels abroad or when foreign bureaucrats visit India, instructions are issued by the government discouraging them from meeting him. “On several occasions, I have been informed that visiting foreign representatives are told explicitly not to engage with me,” he said.

Highlighting India’s enduring ties with Russia, Gandhi stated that while the government represents the country officially, the opposition also plays a vital role in representing India’s democratic voice. “The Opposition offers a different perspective — one that is equally rooted in national interest. By preventing such interactions, the government is acting against the spirit of democracy,” he asserted.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar