NEW DELHI: The United States recently described the meeting between Rahul Gandhi, India’s Leader of Opposition, and top U.S. official Donald Lu in Washington as part of routine diplomatic interactions. A spokesperson from the U.S. Department of State stated, “Our government regularly engages with members of both government and opposition parties, as well as civil society and other stakeholders, as part of our ongoing diplomatic relations with our partners.” The spokesperson also noted that they had no further comments regarding private diplomatic conversations.
During the final leg of his three-day visit to the U.S., Rahul Gandhi met with Donald Lu, the Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asia. Lu is expected to travel to India and Bangladesh later this month. Additionally, Gandhi engaged with American lawmakers at Capitol Hill, including several members of the India Caucus.
Expressing his thoughts on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Gandhi remarked, “It was a pleasure meeting with a delegation of U.S. lawmakers at the Rayburn House in Washington, D.C. We had a meaningful discussion about our shared commitment to building a progressive future and strengthening Indo-U.S. relations.”
Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticized Gandhi, accusing him of working against national interests after his meeting with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in Washington. Amit Malviya, head of the BJP IT Cell, stated in a post on X, “India’s Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi meets Ilhan Omar in the USA, a Pakistan-backed anti-India voice, a radical Islamist, and an advocate of independent Kashmir.”
Malviya added, “Even Pakistani leaders would be more cautious about being seen with such extreme elements. The Congress is now openly acting against India’s interests.”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also targeted Gandhi, stating, “After maligning India on foreign soil and making disparaging remarks about Sikhs, Rahul Gandhi now meets and engages with anti-India figure Ilhan Omar. Omar has introduced anti-India resolutions in the U.S. Congress, opposed the abrogation of Article 370, violated India’s sovereignty by visiting Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on a trip sponsored by Pakistan, and met with Imran Khan and others to discuss ‘Islamophobia’ in India. She has played a key role in spreading hatred against Hindus. Why did Rahul Gandhi meet her?”
Poonawalla questioned further, “Why does he engage with the most extreme anti-India elements on every foreign trip? Is opposing the BJP synonymous with opposing the country?”
During his U.S. visit, Rahul Gandhi connected with the Indian diaspora, students, and American lawmakers. His trip included meetings at the Rayburn House Office Building, hosted by Congressman Bradley James Sherman. Among the attendees were U.S. Congress members Jonathan Jackson, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, Shri Thanedar, Jesus G “Chuy” Garcia, Ilhan Omar, Hank Johnson, and Jan Schakowsky.
