Suryaa National Desk: Surya National & Diplomatic Desk: US Secretary of State (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio's visit to India, Indian Foreign Minister to Mumbai instead of Delhi... Surya National & Diplomatic Desk: US Secretary of State (Secretary of State) Marco Rubio's visit to India, Indian Foreign Minister S. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the central government on the issue of calling Jaishankar and meeting him. Taking a dig at Rubio's meeting with the Indian Foreign Minister in Mumbai, Rahul Gandhi made strong comments on social media saying, "Rubio invited his employee to Mumbai". The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially responded and given an explanation as this controversy has caused a lot of political uproar. Rahul Gandhi Criticisms – Congress Denied: The Congress has objected to the US State Department and US Ambassador to India Sergio Gore announcing the details of Marco Rubio's visit to India earlier. Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera refuted the American ambassador's statement that Jaishankar will also meet them in the meeting in Mumbai. Responding to this, Rahul Gandhi said, "Rubio has ordered his employee to come to Mumbai.
Mr. Modi.. Your foreign ministry officials are confused as to what is happening there. Will you give an explanation on this, or will you ask me to explain?" He made a scathing post on X. The Congress accused the government of holding India's foreign policy and diplomatic honor hostage. Discussions in Mumbai on October 20 – External Affairs Department Clarification: External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to Congress criticism. On October 20, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed that formal bilateral talks will be held.
He also said that Jaishankar will attend the 250th anniversary celebrations of American Independence as the chief guest. Besides, it was revealed that Jaishankar will have official talks with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on October 19 and 20 in Mumbai. Hospitality for foreign guests outside Delhi is nothing new: MEA dismissed the controversy over holding meetings with foreign dignitaries outside Delhi. He reminded that for the last decade, hosting foreign heads of state and ministers in different cities of the country has become a continuous tradition. Randhir Jaiswal mentioned that in the past, Prime Minister Modi had invited the Prime Minister of Spain in Vadodara, the German leaders in Ahmedabad, the Prime Minister of Mauritius in Varanasi, and held international foreign ministers' conferences in Goa, Kevadia and Amritsar. Rubio's visit with trade and energy priorities: This is Rubio's second visit to India in the last six months, diplomatic sources said, focusing mainly on trade and energy cooperation. Apart from Mumbai, Rubio will also visit Jamnagar in Gujarat. At a time when discussions on comprehensive strategic partnership, energy, defense and key technologies are going to be held between the two countries, the war of words between the Congress and the BJP has escalated on the platform of this meeting.
