NEW DELHI: The ministry of external affairs on Friday called to ‘respect India’s ties with Italy’ over remarks made by Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit, while mocking PM Modi’s foreign policy.“We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every which way, and it’s important that, as part of diplomatic practice, we strengthen our ties, keeping in mind and being respectful of each other. There’s mutual understanding between the two sides,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
The remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach to foreign policy at the Rachnatmak Congress national convention in New Delhi. Gandhi said he did not understand the idea that “foreign policy means hugging leaders” and used a hug with Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit to illustrate his point. Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange, asking, “You weren’t hugging me thinking I was Meloni?” to which Rahul replied, “I haven’t reached that stage yet,” drawing laughter from the gathering.Rahul then returned to his broader criticism of the Modi government’s foreign policy, questioning India’s role in the West Asia conflict and saying Pakistan had stepped in as a mediator between the US and Iran while India “simply looked on.” He also criticised the government’s handling of the India-China border situation, alleging that China had prevented Indian forces from patrolling certain areas in Arunachal Pradesh.
