As the G20 Summit approaches, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has voiced concerns over the state of democratic institutions in India during a meeting with Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Rahul Gandhi stated that the challenges facing India, including what he referred to as “attacks on democratic institutions,” were discussed, and the MEPs expressed their deep concerns regarding these issues.
While Rahul Gandhi has previously emphasized the threats to democracy and constitutional institutions during his foreign visits, this marks the first time he has explicitly mentioned discussing these concerns with foreign lawmakers. Notably, in February-March, Rahul faced criticism from the BJP for similar remarks made during a visit to the United Kingdom. At that time, he emphasized the global significance of Indian democracy and its role on the world stage.
During the recent press conference, Rahul Gandhi was careful to reiterate that the fight for democracy and the protection of democratic institutions in India were internal matters. He emphasized that the Opposition in India was committed to safeguarding democratic values and institutions.
Rahul Gandhi also praised the upcoming G20 Summit, hosted by India, as an essential global conversation and an opportunity for the nation. He highlighted the importance of India hosting the summit, aligning with the views expressed by senior Congress leader Manmohan Singh, who recently emphasized the relevance of foreign policy in India’s domestic politics.
Regarding India’s stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Rahul Gandhi supported the country’s current position and maintained that India, as a large nation, maintains relationships with many countries. He indicated that the Opposition shared a similar view on India’s position in the conflict.
In addition to discussing democratic concerns, Rahul Gandhi raised issues related to minority, Dalit, and tribal communities in India, as well as the need for the world to consider alternatives to the Chinese production model.
Responding to questions about the India vs. Bharat name controversy, Rahul stated that he was content with the existing names in the Constitution. However, he described the name change as a “panic reaction” by the government and highlighted the government’s tactics of diverting attention from other issues.
