Meloni jibe sparks row, MEA stresses 'strong Italy ties'

The Centre on Friday underlined India's "deep and strong" relationship with Italy and stressed that ties between countries should be guided by mutual respect and understanding, amid a political controversy over remarks by Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sandeep Dikshit involving Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the remarks after being asked about the controversy triggered by an exchange between Gandhi and Dikshit while the Congress leader was criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's approach to foreign policy. "We share deep and strong ties with Italy, and we are committed to further strengthening this relationship. When it comes to friendship and bilateral relations between two countries, it is important that they are maintained within a framework of mutual respect and understanding," the MEA said.

Row over remarks

The controversy erupted following an interaction between Gandhi and Dikshit at the Rachnatmak Congress National Convention in New Delhi.

During his address, Gandhi criticised Modi's approach to diplomacy and questioned the emphasis on personal gestures, including hugging foreign leaders. As part of his remarks, Gandhi hugged Dikshit on stage.

Dikshit responded by asking Gandhi in Hindi whether he had hugged him thinking he was Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Gandhi replied that he had "not reached that yet".

The exchange subsequently drew criticism from the BJP, which accused the Congress leaders of making inappropriate remarks involving the leader of a friendly foreign country.

BJP attacks Congress

The BJP hit out at Gandhi over the exchange and questioned the propriety of bringing the Italian Prime Minister into a domestic political attack on Modi.

The controversy also drew attention because India and Italy have significantly expanded their bilateral engagement in recent years, including cooperation in trade, defence and strategic areas.

Responding to questions on the issue, the MEA avoided entering the domestic political dispute and instead emphasised the broader relationship between New Delhi and Rome.

It reiterated India's commitment to strengthening ties with Italy while stressing that relations and friendships between countries should be conducted within a framework of mutual respect and understanding.

The remarks came as the political exchange between the Congress and BJP intensified over Gandhi's criticism of the Prime Minister's diplomatic style and Dikshit's reference to Meloni.