Archive · 15 Aug 2026
MEA Defends India-Italy Ties After Rahul Gandhi's Meloni Jibe
A big argument happened in India about how leaders treat other countries.
Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the Congress party and the main opposition leader in India's Parliament.
He said the Prime Minister's foreign policy seemed to be all about hugging other leaders.
To explain what he meant, he hugged his friend Sandeep Dikshit on stage.
Dikshit made a joke, asking if Rahul thought he was hugging the Italian Prime Minister, Giorgia Meloni.
Rahul laughed and said he had not reached that stage yet.
Many people, especially from the ruling BJP party, said the joke was rude and disrespectful to Italy's leader.
The government's spokesperson said India and Italy are very good friends and that everyone should show mutual respect.
India and Italy have become closer partners recently and now have a Special Strategic Partnership.
The argument was about how political leaders should talk about other countries with respect.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has strong ties with Italy that have expanded and strengthened in recent years.
Rahul Gandhi criticised PM Narendra Modi's foreign policy as being all about hugging leaders and hugged Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on stage.
Dikshit joked whether Gandhi had hugged him thinking he was Meloni, and Gandhi replied he had not reached that stage yet.
The BJP, including MP Bansuri Swaraj, and online users called the remarks vulgar, crass and sexist, while Congress said Gandhi never named Meloni.
India and Italy recently elevated their ties to a Special Strategic Partnership after PM Modi met Meloni in Rome in May.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Sandeep Dikshit, PM Narendra Modi, Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj
- What
- The MEA responded to Rahul Gandhi's criticism of the government's foreign policy and a joke referencing Italian PM Meloni, stressing mutual respect in diplomacy
- When
- Gandhi's remarks were made on Thursday evening; the MEA responded a day later
- Where
- New Delhi, at the Rachnatmak Congress Organising National Convention
- Why
- Gandhi argued foreign policy should protect national interests rather than focus on personal friendships between leaders
Congress and critics of the government
BJP, MEA and government supporters
Nature of foreign policy
Congress and critics of the government
Foreign policy should protect India's national interests, not revolve around personal friendships or hugging leaders.
BJP, MEA and government supporters
India's foreign policy is built on strong, mutually respectful bilateral ties, and personal rapport is part of diplomatic engagement.
Meloni reference controversy
Congress and critics of the government
Gandhi himself did not name Meloni; the remarks were political criticism of the government's diplomatic style.
BJP, MEA and government supporters
The reference was vulgar, crass, sexist, and unbecoming, objectifying a woman head of government of a friendly nation.
- MEA Spokesperson
- Randhir Jaiswal
- India-Italy ties
- Strong, expanded and strengthened in recent years
- Bilateral status
- Special Strategic Partnership
- Cooperation areas
- Trade, defence, technology, critical minerals, education
- Framework
- Joint Strategic Action Plan
- Event
- Rachnatmak Congress Organising National Convention
- Location
- New Delhi
- Social media tag
- Melodi
Sources
Ties with Italy ‘expanded and strengthened’: MEA on Congress leader’s Meloni jibe
MEA responds to LoP Rahul Gandhi’s Meloni remarks: ‘We have strong ties with Italy’
MEA Flags Meloni Reference in Rahul Exchange
We have strong ties with Italy, show respect: MEA on Congress jibe at Italian PM Meloni - Telegraph India
