Ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s high-profile visit to India, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi has alleged that the government is preventing him from meeting Putin.
Responding to the allegation, official sources clarified that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) facilitates meetings only with government officials and bodies, while any engagement beyond that “is up to the visiting delegation to organise outside the government schedule.”
Government cites record of previous LoP meetings
Countering claims that the traditional protocol of foreign dignitaries meeting the Leader of the Opposition is being ignored, sources listed several leaders who have met Gandhi since he assumed office on 9 June 2024.
These include former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (10 June 2024), Vietnam PM Pham Minh Chinh (1 August 2024), Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim (21 August 2024), Mauritius PM Navinchandra Ramgoolam (16 September 2025) and New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon (8 March 2025).
President Putin is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu during his visit.
