On the 3rd of Febraury, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar lashed out at the leader of Opposition from Congress, Rahul Gandhi for making baseless allegations against him. Speaking in the Parliament, Rahul Gandhi had earlier alleged that Minister Jaishankar was sent “three-four times” to the US to secure an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president.
Taking to X, Jaishankar busted the myth propagated by Rahul Gandhi. He dismissed the charge, calling it a “deliberate falsehood”. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Union Minister clarified that his visit to the United States in December 2024 was for official diplomatic duties. He explained that he had gone to meet US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor (NSA) Jake Sullivan, as well as to chair a meeting of India’s Consuls General.
He also mentioned that during his stay, he met with the incoming NSA-designate. At no point during his visit was the matter of a PM invitation discussed, he emphasised.
S Jaishankar added that it is well-known that PM Modi does not attend events like presidential inaugurations, with India typically being represented by Special Envoys. The minister further accused Rahul Gandhi of damaging India’s reputation abroad with his baseless statements, which, he argued, were intended for political gain.
“Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024. I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met with me. At no stage was an invitation in respect of the PM discussed. It is common knowledge that our PM does not attend such events. In fact, India is generally represented by Special Envoys. Rahul Gandhi’s lies may be intended politically. But they damage the nation abroad”, S Jaishankar tweeted.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024.
I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the incoming NSA-designate met…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 3, 2025
In response, BJP leaders, including Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, strongly condemned Rahul Gandhi’s remarks, labeling them as unsubstantiated and damaging to the country’s foreign policy. Rijiju demanded that Gandhi provide proof of his claims, asserting that foreign policy matters should not be trivialised by misleading statements.
It must be noted that S Jaishankar’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, was part of India’s diplomatic representation at the event. In a marked positive stance towards India and underscoring the importance of strong India-US diplomatic ties, Dr. Jaishankar was given the front row seat in the United States Presidential inaugration, even ahead of several Heads of the States. Strikingly, Foreign Ministers’ of Quad partners were seated a few rows back.
