The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday strongly reaffirmed India’s close relationship with Italy, stressing that bilateral ties are based on mutual respect and understanding amid a fresh political controversy triggered by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India and Italy share “deep and strong ties” that have expanded and strengthened in recent years. He emphasised that New Delhi remains committed to further developing the relationship while maintaining diplomatic courtesy and mutual understanding.
MEA Defends Strong India-Italy Relationship
The MEA’s response came after Gandhi criticised what he described as the Modi government’s approach to international diplomacy. His comments, made at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi, quickly triggered a political backlash and brought India’s relationship with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the centre of the controversy.
Jaiswal sought to separate India’s long-term diplomatic relationship with Italy from the ongoing political debate. He said the relationship between the two countries has developed substantially and should continue to be strengthened through mutual respect.
The MEA spokesperson also stressed that disagreements or issues that need to be raised should be discussed respectfully, reflecting the importance New Delhi places on diplomatic conduct.
Rahul Gandhi Targets Modi’s ‘Hug Diplomacy’
The controversy began after Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy during the Congress event.
Gandhi argued that the Prime Minister’s responsibility is to protect India’s national interests rather than focus on personal friendships with foreign leaders. He questioned the idea that diplomatic engagement should be associated primarily with public displays of warmth.
Gandhi also criticised what he referred to as the government’s practice of embracing foreign leaders. To illustrate his point, he hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage while discussing Modi’s diplomatic style.
The remarks subsequently led to a reference involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, triggering strong reactions from BJP leaders and adding a fresh political dimension to the controversy.
BJP Condemns Rahul Gandhi’s Remarks
The Congress leader’s comments have drawn criticism from several senior BJP leaders, who accused him and his party colleagues of using inappropriate language while attacking the Prime Minister.
The BJP has defended Modi’s international outreach, arguing that personal engagement between national leaders can contribute to stronger diplomatic relationships. The party has also accused Congress leaders of crossing the boundaries of political criticism by making remarks involving a foreign head of government.
The dispute has consequently developed into a broader political confrontation over the nature of India’s foreign policy and the manner in which international relationships should be discussed during domestic political campaigns.
India-Italy Ties Have Expanded
The MEA’s statement highlights that India’s relationship with Italy is broader than the interactions between individual political leaders.
The two countries have strengthened cooperation across several areas, including trade, investment, technology, defence, culture and strategic engagement. Diplomatic contacts between New Delhi and Rome have also increased in recent years.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Giorgia Meloni have maintained regular high-level engagement, giving additional momentum to bilateral relations. Their interactions have attracted considerable public attention, but the government maintains that the relationship is ultimately based on broader institutional and strategic interests.
Jaiswal’s comments therefore placed the current controversy within a wider diplomatic framework, emphasising that India intends to continue strengthening its partnership with Italy.
MEA Calls for Diplomatic Respect
The MEA’s message was particularly focused on the importance of mutual respect and understanding.
Jaiswal said that India and Italy have a strong relationship and that New Delhi wants to deepen those ties further. He also underlined that diplomatic practice requires both sides to remain respectful when discussing matters concerning bilateral relations.
Also Read — Delhi Traffic Alert: Major Red Fort Road Closures Announced For I’Day 2026
The statement comes at a time when foreign policy has increasingly become a major subject of domestic political debate. Opposition parties frequently question the government’s international decisions, while the BJP highlights Modi’s personal engagement with global leaders as an important element of India’s diplomatic outreach.
Political Battle Over Foreign Policy Intensifies
The latest controversy is expected to further intensify the political battle between the BJP and Congress over Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy record.
For Congress, Gandhi’s criticism reflects its argument that India’s foreign policy should be driven primarily by national interests and measurable diplomatic outcomes rather than personal relationships between political leaders.
The BJP, on the other hand, has defended Modi’s approach and criticised Gandhi’s remarks as inappropriate.
Against this backdrop, the MEA has maintained a diplomatic position focused on the long-term India-Italy partnership rather than the political dispute itself.
India Signals Commitment to Italy Partnership
The MEA’s latest remarks make clear that India does not want the ongoing political controversy to overshadow its broader relationship with Italy.
By stressing deep bilateral ties, mutual respect and understanding, the ministry has reiterated New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining constructive relations with Rome.
The episode has nevertheless highlighted the delicate balance between domestic political criticism and diplomatic sensitivity. As the BJP and Congress continue their political confrontation, India’s foreign policy is likely to remain a major area of debate.
For the government, however, the central message remains unchanged: India-Italy relations are based on long-term strategic interests, mutual respect and continued cooperation—not merely on individual political interactions.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Channel for real-time news updates and exclusive coverage
