'Hugging world leaders is not foreign policy': Rahul Gandhi targets PM Modi

New Delhi, Aug 13
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday mocked Prime Minister Narendra Modi's foreign policy, questioning what he described as an excessive focus on personal ties with world leaders.

Taking a swipe at his widely noted hugs with foreign leaders, Rahul Gandhi said that diplomacy could not be reduced to "hugging other leaders" and added that India's foreign policy must be driven by national interest.

The Congress leader stressed that India's Prime Minister must work in the national interest rather than merely befriend foreign leaders.

Referring to the conflict involving Iran, he claimed that had India's leadership seized the opportunity, it could have mediated.

"Instead, Pakistan stepped in, leaving PM Modi wondering how it had happened."

The Congress leader also claimed to be receiving information from within the Prime Minister's own office.

Rahul Gandhi was addressing a plenary session of Congress here.

Commenting on China, Rahul Gandhi alleged that Beijing had barred Indian patrols in Arunachal Pradesh and that the "bravado" of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had completely deflated.

He accused the Union government of calling newspapers and media outlets to prevent the story from being published or broadcast.

Recalling the Galwan clash, Rahul Gandhi said the Prime Minister had claimed that China had not taken even an inch of Indian territory, while the Army maintained that the land had been seized.

"What message did this send to China? During discussions, the Chinese side countered by saying we were mistaken because our own Prime Minister had stated no land was lost. These people have destroyed our foreign policy and weakened the country internally," he alleged.

The Congress leader alleged that those in power had neither any understanding of India's traditions nor any regard for them.

"They talk of things from three thousand years ago but fail to understand the reality of modern India. This India can be understood only by allowing people to speak, which they refuse to do," he said.

Recounting an incident outside the Prime Minister's residence, Rahul Gandhi claimed a police officer had whispered to him about removing them.

He questioned why the Prime Minister Modi never held press conferences.

"I used to think there must be some strategy behind it. But after sitting in a room for five minutes, I realised the matter could be resolved in just five minutes," he remarked, adding that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government was also aware of the Congress' strength.

Rahul Gandhi also claimed that while walking past the area in Parliament where the Prime Minister enters, he overheard a BJP leader telling another, "He doesn't fit into any mould, whereas we do."