Jaishankar Hits Back at Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Falsehoods’ on US Visit: A Political and Diplomatic Showdown

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4^th Feb. The Bharatiya Parliament witnessed a heated exchange on February 3, 2025, as External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar directly countered allegations made by Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. Speaking in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi accused Jaishankar of traveling to the United States multiple times to secure an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. The claim, aimed at portraying the Modi government as eager to court Trump’s favor, quickly became a political flashpoint.

Jaishankar, known for his sharp and articulate rebuttals, did not let the accusation go unanswered. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he categorically dismissed Gandhi’s claim as a “deliberate falsehood” and explained that his December 2024 visit to the United States was purely for diplomatic engagements. He clarified that he had met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, chaired a meeting of Bharat’s Consuls General, and held discussions with the incoming US NSA-designate. At no point during his visit, he emphasized, was the issue of securing an invitation for Modi’s attendance at Trump’s inauguration ever discussed.

This political clash has now escalated into a larger debate about misinformation, political accountability, and the role of foreign policy in domestic politics. The controversy has not only triggered a war of words between the BJP and Congress but also raised questions about how political leaders should handle diplomatic issues in public discourse.

Jaishankar’s Firm Rebuttal and the Facts Behind His US Visit

Jaishankar’s response was swift and fact-based, laying out the purpose of his visit to the United States in December 2024. His meetings with Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan were part of routine diplomatic engagements, and his role as the chair of the Consuls General meeting was in line with Bharat’s standard foreign policy practices.

He also pointed out a key detail that undermined Rahul Gandhi’s accusation—that PM Modi does not attend US presidential inaugurations. Bharatn Prime Ministers have traditionally been represented by Special Envoys at such events, and this protocol has remained unchanged under Modi. This was evident when Jaishankar himself attended Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, as Bharat’s official representative.

The seating arrangement at the event further underscored Bharat’s growing global influence. Jaishankar was seated in the front row, ahead of several Heads of State, and notably, the Foreign Ministers of Quad partners—Japan, Australia, and the United States—were seated further back. This placement highlighted Bharat’s importance in US diplomatic considerations and directly contradicted the notion that Jaishankar was lobbying for Modi’s attendance.

Rahul Gandhi’s Allegations and the Political Motivation Behind Them

Rahul Gandhi’s remarks in Parliament seemed designed to paint the Modi government as excessively eager to align with Trump. He insinuated that Modi’s administration had actively sought a presence at the US presidential inauguration, going as far as to send Jaishankar multiple times to the United States to secure an invitation. The suggestion was that the Modi government was prioritizing personal diplomatic optics over substantive foreign policy.

However, this claim lacked factual backing and quickly unraveled under scrutiny. The Congress leader’s assertion that Jaishankar was repeatedly sent to lobby for an invitation did not align with diplomatic protocols, nor did it reflect Bharat’s traditional approach to US presidential inaugurations.

Gandhi’s statement appeared to be more of a political maneuver than a well-researched argument. It aimed to reinforce a long-standing Congress narrative that the Modi government’s diplomacy is often driven by personal branding rather than institutional strategy. However, in this case, the accusation backfired as Jaishankar provided a clear, detailed, and public rebuttal that exposed the inaccuracy of the claim.

Political Reactions: BJP Slams Congress for ‘Misinformation’

Jaishankar’s response was immediately backed by several BJP leaders, who condemned Rahul Gandhi for what they termed as a reckless and misleading statement. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju was particularly vocal, accusing the Congress leader of trivializing serious foreign policy matters for political mileage. He demanded that Gandhi provide evidence for his claims, stating that Bharat’s global standing should not be compromised by casual or uninformed remarks.

The BJP’s argument was that Rahul Gandhi’s statements not only misrepresented Jaishankar’s diplomatic visit but also risked damaging Bharat’s credibility on the world stage. The ruling party positioned the controversy as another instance of the Congress leader making unverified allegations that do more harm to Bharat’s international image than to the BJP itself.

Congress leaders, however, defended Gandhi’s remarks by pointing to Modi’s past engagements with Trump, particularly the “Howdy Modi” event in Houston in 2019, where Modi openly endorsed Trump’s presidency. They argued that Modi’s close association with Trump was a strategic risk that could affect Bharat’s relations with the current US administration and that Gandhi was merely questioning the BJP’s diplomatic priorities. However, this argument failed to address the specific inaccuracy in Gandhi’s claim about Jaishankar’s trip

Why This Controversy Matters Beyond Politics

This controversy is not just another routine political spat between the BJP and Congress; it raises broader questions about how political leaders should engage with matters of foreign policy in public discourse. Foreign relations are delicate and complex, requiring a careful balance of truth, diplomacy, and national interest. When unverified claims enter the political narrative, they can create confusion, damage trust, and even have unintended diplomatic consequences.

Rahul Gandhi’s statement reflects a pattern of political attacks that are not always backed by concrete evidence. This is not the first time he has been accused of making factually questionable claims about Bharat’s diplomacy. His past remarks on China, Pakistan, and Bharat’s role in global affairs have often been met with criticism for lacking depth and understanding.

On the other hand, Jaishankar’s strong and immediate rebuttal demonstrated a level of diplomatic maturity that reassures both domestic and international stakeholders. His response was not just a defense of the Modi government but a reaffirmation of Bharat’s credibility in global affairs. By firmly countering misinformation, Jaishankar ensured that Bharat’s foreign policy narrative remained fact-driven rather than politically manipulated.

Conclusion: A Lesson in Political Responsibility

The Jaishankar vs. Rahul Gandhi controversy is a clear reminder that political rhetoric must be factually grounded, especially when it involves international relations. Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to discredit Jaishankar ended up exposing his own lack of understanding of diplomatic processes, and Jaishankar’s counterattack reaffirmed the importance of truth in political discourse.

While Congress may continue its critique of the Modi government’s foreign policy, it needs to ensure that its arguments are rooted in verifiable facts rather than sensational claims. On the other hand, Jaishankar’s swift and well-articulated response has once again reinforced his reputation as one of Bharat’s most competent and no-nonsense diplomats.

As the political landscape intensifies in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, this controversy serves as an important lesson: in the age of instant fact-checking and digital accountability, political leaders can no longer afford to make unchecked allegations without expecting an immediate and forceful rebuttal.