MEA Stresses Strong India-Italy Ties Amid Political Controversy

India's Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the country's strong and strengthening ties with Italy on Friday, August 14, 2026, while calling for mutual respect in diplomatic discourse. The statement came in response to a political controversy sparked by remarks from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who had criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy and made a reference to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

At a biweekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We have strong ties with Italy. Our ties with Italy in recent years have expanded and strengthened in every which way." He added that it is important to strengthen these ties while "being respectful of each other," noting there is "mutual understanding between the two sides."

The ministry's remarks were a direct reaction to comments made by Gandhi at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention on Thursday, August 13. During his address, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha criticized Modi's approach to foreign policy, claiming it had been reduced to "hugging leaders." To illustrate his point, Gandhi hugged Rachnatmak Congress chief Sandeep Dikshit on stage.