Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated on Thursday that the Modi government is going against "tradition" and does not want him or an opposition representative to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin due to their "insecurity" on Putin's first visit to India since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022.
Putin will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for an annual summit on Thursday and Friday during his two-day visit to India, Indian Express reported.
On Thursday afternoon, Gandhi addressed reporters in the Parliament building and stated: “Generally, it is this government’s policy. Normally, there is a tradition that the LOP has meetings with those who come from abroad. It used to happen during Vajpayee ji’s time, Manmohan ji’s time. This has been a tradition. But these days, what happens is that when foreign dignitaries come, or when I go abroad, the government suggests to them that they should not meet the LOP.”
“When I go abroad, they do it, and when people come here, they do it. We get the message that they have been told that the government has told them not to meet me,” said Gandhi, PTI reported.
Asked about the historic relations between India and Russia, Gandhi said: “Relations are there with everyone. The LOP gives a different perspective. India is also represented by us, not just the government. The government doesn’t want people from the Opposition to meet foreign dignitaries. This is a tradition and norm, but Modiji and the Foreign Affairs ministry do not follow this.”
Asked why the government was doing so, he said, "It is their insecurity".
PM Modi will hold bilateral discussions, host a private dinner for Putin on Thursday, and speak to business leaders from both nations on Friday.
The two parties are working on a labour mobility agreement that will allow Indian trained and semi-skilled workers to work in Russia's construction, healthcare, and hospitality industries, according to officials in the Ministry of External Affairs.
It has been learnt that the internal procedures are nearing completion and the document has been finished. Negotiations for a possible free-trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union are underway, and the two sides will also concentrate on trade and commercialties.