MEA stresses mutual respect after Rahul Gandhi’s ‘hug diplomacy’ jibe at PM Modi, highlighting India’s expanding ties with Italy.
BY PC Bureau
August 16, 2026: The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday called for “mutual respect” in diplomatic engagement after Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into their criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign-policy approach.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal did not directly respond to the Opposition leaders’ remarks. Instead, he highlighted the growing India-Italy partnership and said bilateral ties should be strengthened in a spirit of mutual regard and understanding.
“We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every way,” Jaiswal said. He stressed that the two countries should continue deepening their relationship while “being respectful of each other”.
Jaiswal’s remarks came a day after Gandhi attacked what he described as Modi’s “hug diplomacy” during the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi.
Questioning the idea that foreign policy was about embracing world leaders, Gandhi said: “Imagine the ignorance… where did he get the idea that foreign policy was about hugging leaders?” He then hugged Dikshit on stage to drive home his point.
Dikshit joined the exchange with a reference to Meloni.
“Ek cheez pooch sakta hoon? Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha?” he asked.
Gandhi replied: “I have not reached there yet.”
The exchange was an apparent reference to the warm public rapport between Meloni and Modi, which has featured prominently in the India-Italy diplomatic relationship.
BREAKING: MEA on Congress’ Meloni remark: “We have strong ties with Italy; should be respectful. pic.twitter.com/bDpcU2Dfb0
— NewsZone (@NewsZonex24) August 14, 2026
MEA KEEPS FOCUS ON INDIA-ITALY TIES
Rather than engage with the political jibe, Jaiswal steered the discussion towards the broader India-Italy relationship, saying bilateral ties had expanded considerably in recent years.
“We want to strengthen this relationship,” he said, reiterating the importance of mutual respect and understanding as New Delhi and Rome seek to further expand cooperation.
The MEA’s comments came amid a widening political confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over Modi’s foreign-policy record. While the Opposition has questioned his handling of relations with major global powers, the BJP has accused Gandhi of lowering the standards of political debate.
READ: SC Quashes Proceedings Against Rahul Gandhi in Savarkar Case
GANDHI ATTACKS ‘PERSONALISED’ FOREIGN POLICY
Gandhi, in his convention speech, argued that personal relationships with foreign leaders should not be mistaken for foreign policy and said India’s external engagement must instead be guided by its strategic interests.
Drawing a comparison with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, he referred to her dealings with the United States and other major powers.
“From where, it has gone in PM (Modi’s) head that they (leaders) are my friend,” Gandhi said.
He also invoked the US-Iran conflict, arguing that India could have attempted to mediate because of its longstanding relationships with Iran, the US and Russia.
“A US-Iran war broke out. In such a scenario, if there had been leadership like Indira Gandhi ji, we would have had the biggest opportunity,” Gandhi said.
He alleged that Pakistan had moved into the space India could have occupied as a mediator, while Modi had remained a spectator.
BJP SLAMS GANDHI
The BJP hit back at Gandhi, particularly over his description of the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers” and “clowns”.
BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Gandhi of crossing the limits of political discourse, while other BJP leaders criticised his remarks involving Meloni.
As the political controversy spilled into the diplomatic arena, the MEA sought to keep the focus on the expanding India-Italy partnership, underlining the importance of mutual respect and responsible diplomatic engagement despite domestic political differences.
