Mon Feb 03 16:58:25 IST 2025: ## Lok Sabha erupts as Rahul Gandhi accuses Jaishankar of seeking US invite for Modi

**New Delhi:** The Lok Sabha witnessed a heated debate today after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi alleged that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to the inauguration of Donald Trump’s presidency was to secure an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This claim sparked outrage from the treasury benches, with BJP MPs vehemently rejecting Gandhi’s statement as unsubstantiated and harmful to India’s foreign relations.

Gandhi, speaking during a debate on the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address, criticized the government’s economic policies, highlighting concerns about unemployment and the declining share of manufacturing in India’s GDP. He argued that India’s reliance on consumption over production had led to dependence on other nations, particularly China, for manufacturing. He used the example of China’s dominance in data control as a key weakness for India in AI development.

He then linked this economic critique to his claim about Jaishankar’s US trip. Gandhi stated that if India had a strong manufacturing base, the US President would proactively invite the Prime Minister, negating the need for multiple ministerial visits to secure such an invitation.

This remark prompted strong denials from the government. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju demanded an apology from Gandhi, calling his statement irresponsible and unsubstantiated. Shortly after, Dr. Jaishankar himself took to X (formerly Twitter) to directly refute Gandhi’s claim. He stated that his December 2024 visit to the US was to meet with key Biden administration officials and chair a meeting of Indian consuls-general, and that the invitation for Prime Minister Modi was never discussed. He emphasized that Gandhi’s statements, though politically motivated, damage India’s international reputation. It is notable that PM Modi did not attend Trump’s inauguration and that India usually sends special envoys to such events. The Prime Minister is expected to visit the US in the near future. The incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political tension between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party.

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