Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday targeted the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s handling of foreign policy, claiming that it was all about hugging leaders, and went on to hug Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to demonstrate it.
Gandhi then hugged Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit to show what foreign policy was about for the current government. Dikshit then asked Gandhi, “Meloni samajh ke toh nahi pakda tha? The BJP hit back, with BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra saying: “The level of Rahul Gandhi’s language and political conduct is deteriorating day by day. The kind of objectionable and indecent language used against constitutional and esteemed figures such as the country’s Prime Minister and Italy’s Head of State is shameful for any civilized democratic and political culture. Union education minister Pralhad Joshi accused Gandhi of insulting the people of India by attacking the Prime Minister. “Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government ‘jokers and clowns’ proves you are out of your depth,” he posted on X. There was no immediate reaction from the government on Gandhi’s allegations. There has been no official word on any such development in Arunachal Pradesh. Gandhi mocked Mr. Modi’s handling of foreign policy as being reduced to hugging world leaders.
Addressing the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention, Gandhi said it has somehow been ingrained in Modi’s mind that foreign policy is about hugging leaders. “Imagine the ignorance… where did he get the idea that foreign policy was about hugging leaders,” he said. The LoP also alleged that China has stopped Indian troops from patrolling in certain areas along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh and that the government was making efforts to “hide it”. Earlier reporting noted: Rahul scoffs at PM’s foreign policy; Kharge says being ‘Modi bhakt’ will not help country Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday (August 13, 2026) attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for allegedly avoiding the Opposition in Parliament for 20 days, while Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi described the BJP-RSS as a “bunch of jokers”. Speaking at the national convention of Rachnatmak Congress, a wing of the party which engages with civil society activists and organisations, the Opposition leader said it was “ignorance” to believe that foreign policy was about embracing leaders. Gandhi said, questioning the Prime Minister’s approach to international relations.
Earlier reporting noted: Mr. Earlier reporting noted: He then hugged Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit to illustrate his point.
