"Up to dignitaries whom they want to meet": Milind Deora refutes Rahul Gandhi's claim amid Putin's visit

New Delhi [India], December 5 (ANI): Amid Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Shiv Sena MP Milind Deora on Friday criticised the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, after he alleged that opposition leaders were not allowed to meet foreign dignitaries.
Speaking to ANI outside Parliament, Deora said it is ultimately up to visiting dignitaries to decide whom they wish to meet and urged the Opposition not to politicise India-Russia relations.
He said, "It is up to the foreign dignitaries who they want to meet. These are the diplomatic rules. India and Russia share historic ties; we should not do politics over it."
Deora highlighted the breadth of India-Russia relations, calling it a "cultural, economic, defence, strategic and political partnership."
"All of us welcome Russian President Vladimir Putin. India-Russia strategic ties are a very deep partnership. This is a cultural, economic, defence, strategic and political partnership. This partnership extends from India to the Arctic. I am confident that with Vladimir Putin's visit, India-Russia ties will further strengthen," he said.
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had sparked a political row after claiming that the Centre advises visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the LoP, arguing that this breaks an old tradition and reflects the government's "insecurity."
Sources confirmed that it was up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government.
"During a visit, MEA organises meetings for the incoming dignitary with Government officials and Government bodies. It is up to the visiting delegation to organise meetings outside the government," the government sources clarified.
"Since June 9, 2024, the following leaders have met the Leader of Opposition: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on June 10, 2024, Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Ching on August 1, 2024, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia on August 21, 2024, Prime Minister of Mauritius Navinchandra Ramgoolam on September 16, 2025 and Prime Minister of New Zealand Christopher Luxon on March 8, 2025," sources said.
BJP MP Sambit Patra also called Gandhi's remarks "inappropriate" and "factually incorrect."
Hitting back today, Congress MP Mallu Ravi backed Rahul Gandhi's claim, saying he was speaking the truth.
Ravi said, "Rahul Gandhi is known for his truth. He always teaches the Congress cadres and leaders not to be afraid of anything, be truthful and practice truth. That is his philosophy. How can they say that he is lying? At no point in time has he spoken lies in politics. He is trying his best to follow Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy. He is trying to do his best as a servant of the people, not as a leader dictating to the people. That is his philosophy. Everybody knows that, be it inside the House or outside, he was only speaking the truth."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday warmly received Russian President Vladimir Putin at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, ahead of the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, underscoring the deep and longstanding partnership between the two nations.
Putin is on a two-day State visit to India at the invitation of PM Modi.
During his visit, the Russian President paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat in the national capital, following his ceremonial welcome and a tri-services guard of honour at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He laid a wreath and paid floral tributes at the memorial to the Father of the Nation and also signed the visitors' book at the Rajghat. (ANI)