EAM Jaishankar Rebuts Rahul's Claims on Trump Invitation
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Synopsis
EAM S Jaishankar has rebuffed Rahul Gandhi's claims regarding his US visit for Donald Trump's inauguration invitation, asserting such falsehoods damage India's reputation abroad.
Key Takeaways
- EAM Jaishankar addressed Rahul Gandhi's accusations directly.
- The minister emphasized the harm caused by misinformation.
- Jaishankar clarified the purpose of his US visit.
- He stated that PM Modi does not attend such events.
- Rahul Gandhi's comments were politically motivated, according to Jaishankar.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar responded sharply to the Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, who alleged that the former traveled to the United States to secure an invitation for Donald Trump’s inauguration. Jaishankar emphasized that such misleading statements only serve to undermine the interests and reputation of the nation on the global stage.
Jaishankar accused the Congress MP of spreading misinformation regarding his December visit to the United States.
Following Rahul’s surprising accusation in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister took to X to clarify the facts surrounding his trip.
“Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi intentionally misrepresented my visit to the US in December 2024. I went to engage with the Secretary of State and the NSA of the Biden Administration and to preside over a meeting of our Consuls General. Additionally, the incoming NSA-designate met with me during my visit,” Jaishankar stated on X.
He added, “At no point was there any discussion about an invitation for the Prime Minister. It is widely known that our PM does not participate in such events, as India is typically represented by Special Envoys. Rahul Gandhi’s falsehoods may have political motives, but they harm our nation internationally.”
Earlier, Rahul criticized the Modi government in Parliament on various fronts, claiming that India’s lobbying for an invitation to Trump’s inauguration was unwarranted.
During the debate concerning the Motion of Thanks to the President’s address, he asserted that the EAM made ‘multiple visits’ to the US to arrange an invitation for the Prime Minister to attend Trump’s inauguration.
“When addressing the United States, we should not dispatch a foreign minister to secure an invitation for our Prime Minister to their coronation,” Rahul remarked.
“If we possessed a robust industrial foundation, the American President would have personally invited our Prime Minister,” he further stated.
