Russian President Putin arrived in India on December 4 for a two-day visit to attend the 23rd India-Russia Summit, marking 25 years of strategic partnership between the two nations. The dinner at Rashtrapati Bhavan is part of the state events organized to honor his visit.
Congress leaders have criticised the government, alleging political bias in protocol. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera said, “The government breaks protocol every day and does not respect democratic values. Inviting some leaders while excluding others raises serious questions.” He added that accepting such invitations could also be ethically questionable.
When asked about the exclusion of Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, Shashi Tharoor stated, “I do not know on what basis invitations are given, but I will attend the event. However, not inviting opposition leaders is not right.”
Rahul Gandhi had earlier accused the government of restricting opposition leaders from meeting foreign dignitaries, claiming that it undermines the opposition’s role in representing India. Government sources, however, denied these allegations, stating that foreign delegations decide whom to meet, and highlighted that Gandhi had met at least four foreign heads of state since becoming Leader of Opposition in June 2024.
Preparations for the dinner include around 150 guests from politics, business, and art sectors. The menu features a blend of Indian and Russian delicacies, including Kashmiri Wazwan and Russian Borscht soup, accompanied by a performance from the Tri-Services Band and other classical musicians.
Tharoor, in recent months, has praised government initiatives and foreign policy efforts, including ‘Operation Sindoor,’ leading to speculation about his closer engagement with the administration. Congress leadership has expressed discomfort over his statements praising the Modi government’s policies.
The dinner reflects both diplomatic hospitality and underlying political tensions regarding protocol and opposition participation.
