On the day Russian President Vladimir Putin began his first visit to India since the start of the Ukraine war in February 2022, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on December 4 criticised the Modi government for abandoning long-standing parliamentary convention, Indian Express reports.

He said the government has discouraged visiting foreign dignitaries from meeting him or other Opposition representatives, describing the practice as a departure from established norms.

Putin is in India for a two-day visit to hold annual summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament complex that previous administrations routinely enabled interactions between the Opposition and international visitors, but that this engagement has steadily declined. He said his meetings abroad have also been affected by similar signals sent to foreign interlocutors.

Asked about India’s long relationship with Russia, Gandhi said the Opposition also contributes to India’s global engagement and brings an alternative policy perspective, Indian Express reports. He argued that excluding Opposition leaders from diplomatic interactions weakens established democratic practice and reflects what he described as insecurity within the government.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal said interactions between the Leader of the Opposition and visiting dignitaries have historically strengthened India’s international engagement. He criticised what he described as the government’s preference for unilateral communication.

Responding to the remarks, BJP MP Sambit Patra said visiting delegations determine their own meeting schedules and that the External Affairs Ministry simply facilitates these decisions. He cited several recent meetings between Gandhi and foreign leaders since Gandhi assumed the role of Leader of the Opposition in June 2024, and said raising the issue during Putin’s visit was an attempt to cast India in a negative light.

After a private dinner and bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Modi on December 4, Putin is expected to address business leaders from both countries on December 5.