Rajeev Shukla Criticises Govt for ‘Breaking Tradition’ After Rahul Gandhi–Putin Meeting Not Scheduled

By A Staff Reporter

Delhi: Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla on Thursday expressed sharp disappointment over the absence of a scheduled meeting between Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Russian President Vladimir Putin during Gandhi’s ongoing visit to Russia. Shukla termed the development “very strange” and alleged that the government had broken a long-standing parliamentary tradition.

Addressing media persons, Shukla said that it has been customary for visiting Indian leaders holding constitutional positions—including the Leader of the Opposition—to meet the head of state or government of the country they are visiting. “It is very strange that a meeting between the Leader of the Opposition and President Putin was not scheduled. It has been a parliamentary tradition, followed by former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh,” he stated.

Shukla argued that such interactions strengthen India’s diplomatic continuity, irrespective of which party is in power. He emphasised that relations between India and Russia have historically remained stable due to bipartisan political engagement. “Unfortunately, the tradition is now being broken. The Gandhi family established Russia and India’s relations,” he added, crediting successive Congress governments for bolstering the strategic partnership.