The Embassy of Italy in New Delhi has expressed strong disapproval over remarks attributed to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi about Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, saying such comments were disrespectful and should not be part of India’s domestic political discourse.
In a statement issued on August 14, the embassy said it was “deeply concerned” by the remarks made by Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
It acknowledged that political disagreements are a normal part of democracy but said India’s internal political debates should not be used to mock or disrespect Italy’s elected leadership.
The embassy said it respects India’s democratic system and open political debate and expects the same respect for Italy and its leadership. “Political debate is welcome. Disrespect toward our Prime Minister is not,” it said.
The statement also underlined the longstanding friendship between India and Italy, describing it as being based on mutual respect, dignity and shared democratic values.
How the controversy began
The controversy erupted on Thursday after Rahul Gandhi spoke at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention. During his address, Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s habit of hugging foreign leaders during diplomatic meetings, including Giorgia Meloni.
Gandhi questioned where Modi had picked up the habit, saying that “strange ideas” sometimes enter people’s minds and that Modi appeared to believe this was how foreign policy worked.
He then walked towards Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage and hugged him, drawing laughter from the audience. Dikshit joked about whether Gandhi was imagining him to be Meloni while giving the hug. Gandhi replied that he had “not reached that stage yet”, prompting further laughter.
The remarks drew criticism from the BJP, which described them as immature and inappropriate for a senior political leader. The Congress defended Gandhi, arguing that he had not directly named Meloni during the remarks and that the controversy was being exaggerated.
With the Italian Embassy now issuing an official statement, the controversy has acquired a diplomatic dimension. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor the Congress has so far directly responded to the embassy’s remarks.
