Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on August 13 condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and the party for remarks made during the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, saying the exchange involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni crossed “every line of decency” and risked harming India’s foreign relations. Sarma posted his reaction on X after a video of the incident circulated online.
At the convention, Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to foreign policy, arguing that the prime minister’s duty is to protect India’s interests rather than rely on personal friendships with other leaders. To underscore his point, Gandhi hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dixit on stage in what attendees interpreted as a jab at Modi’s public embraces with visiting foreign dignitaries.
Dixit then quipped on stage, “You weren’t hugging me thinking I was Meloni?” Video of the exchange shows women on stage and in the audience laughing, a detail Sarma highlighted in his post while accusing Congress’ “dynastic leadership” of making objectionable remarks about a woman leader from a friendly country.
Calling the incident “not merely political indecency,” Sarma argued it was “also an attempt to sabotage India’s foreign relations” and added, “When disrespect towards women becomes a source of amusement, it speaks volumes about the culture being encouraged. Disgraceful. Shameful.”
Gandhi’s speech reiterated his view that India’s foreign policy should be guided by national interest rather than “mere friendships.” “You aren’t just visiting a friend’s house. In this role, the Prime Minister of India doesn’t engage in mere friendship. They have no interest in friendship; their job is to protect the country,” he said, later adding, “I don’t know where it came from; this idea got into their heads… the idea that foreign policy means hugging politicians.”
The exchange has sharpened political debate over tone and decorum in public discourse and revived discussion about how personal diplomatic gestures fit into broader foreign-policy practice.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/disgraceful-shameful-assam-cm-slams-rahul-congress-over-meloni-remark-1437619-2026-08-14?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-08-14 08:40:00
