India
oi-Prakash KL
Taking a sharp jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic style, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday slammed the NDA government’s foreign policy, calling it overly reliant on personal gestures rather than strategic national interest.
Speaking at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in the capital, Gandhi questioned the Prime Minister’s approach to global affairs, arguing that photo-ops and physical embraces do not equate to a coherent foreign policy strategy.
Rahul Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, deeming it reliant on personal gestures over strategic interests, and cited China blocking Indian patrols in Arunachal Pradesh and a missed West Asia mediation opportunity.
Rahul said, “I don’t know where he got this idea from. Strange ideas get into people’s heads. He thinks this is foreign policy,”
The address took a brief, lighthearted turn when Gandhi unexpectedly pulled fellow party leader Sandeep Dikshit into a big hug on stage. Dikshit immediately quipped, “You weren’t hugging me thinking I was Meloni?”, referring to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
“I haven’t reached that stage yet,” Gandhi replied, drawing laughter from the crowd before steering his speech back to diplomatic critique.
This is absolute cinema 🍿😂
Rahul Gandhi –– I will show you what foreign policy means for Modi
*He runs and hugs Sandeep Dixit*
Rahul Gandhi –– Modi thinks foreign policy is all about hugging leaders 🤣
Sandeep Dixit –– Did you do this like Meloni?
Rahul Gandhi –– No, i… pic.twitter.com/USFQwVD8zi
— Amock_ (@Amockx2022) August 13, 2026
He then spoke about India-US relations as he criticized the government for failing to mediate in the West Asia conflict. “War broke out in Iran. For India-had it recognized its own strength and had its leader been someone like Indira Gandhi-this presented the greatest opportunity in the world. What kind of opportunity? Iran was our old friend, America was our friend, and Russia was our friend.
PM Modi, Priyanka Gandhi, Kharge’s Light Hearted Chat Video Goes Viral
We could have stepped up, become relevant, and leveraged these friendships. But what actually happened? Nothing of the sort. Instead, Pakistan stepped in and took our place; Pakistan became the mediator, while India and Modi-ji simply looked on,” he added.
Gandhi also raised alarms over the ongoing border situation with China in the Northeast, alleging that Chinese forces have blocked Indian troops from patrolling traditional areas within Arunachal Pradesh.
Making a bold claim about internal friction within the government, Gandhi claimed that he was getting reports directly from the Prime Minister’s Office.
“I receive information directly from Modi-ji’s office these days; there is a full-blown revolt going on inside,” Gandhi claimed. “In our patrolling areas-specifically in Arunachal-China blocked us from patrolling. They essentially said, ‘Look, all that is fine-it is indeed your land-but you cannot patrol here.'”
He also attacked PM Modi and Amit Shah for staying away from the Parliamentary proceedings in the Monsoon session. He continued, “Our job is very simple and we can drive them crazy…I am telling you, (PM) Narendra Modi does not sleep at night.. You saw (HM) Amit Shah, what did they used to call him? Chanakya? And Sardar Patel… Where has he disappeared? He could not enter Parliament House… Why? Because, for the first time, they are feeling India’s expression…”
