"Share Deep And Strong Ties With Italy": Centre On Congress' Meloni Jibe

India has stressed on the importance of "mutual respect" and "understanding" in its bilateral relationship with Italy and also acknowledged that both "share deep and strong ties", a day after Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi took a swipe at Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The BJP had slammed Rahul Gandhi for mocking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's handling of foreign policy - with his swipe at PM Modi for hugging world leaders - and had accused the Congress MP of using "uncultured and indecent" language and lowering the dignity of the office of the Leader of Opposition.

"We share deep and strong ties with Italy, and we are committed to further strengthening this relationship. When it comes to friendship and bilateral relations between two countries, it is important that they are maintained within a framework of mutual respect and understanding," the Ministry of External Affairs said today.

At a Congress party event in Delhi yesterday, Rahul Gandhi had greeted party leader Sandeep Dikshit with a 'mock hug'.

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi, who was among the first BJP leaders to respond on the matter, questioned Rahul Gandhi when would he "grow up".

"Rahul Gandhi, when will you grow up? Running India requires mature leadership, not amateur dramatics. Calling a democratically elected government 'jokers and clowns' proves you are out of your depth," Joshi said.

"The Prime Minister is an elected leader. Unlike Rahul Gandhi and his family, he did not ascend through a hierarchy, nor did he rise due to family lineage or dynastic politics. The words being used, the level to which one is stooping, reflect sheer stupidity and frustration on Rahul Gandhi's part. It is this frustration that drives him to use abusive language," the Union minister said, adding that by insulting the prime minister, Rahul Gandhi had insulted the people of India.

Rahul Gandhi had implied that the prime minister oversimplifies diplomacy by focusing on symbolic gestures like hugging foreign leaders. Dikshit then brought Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni into the exchange with a snide remark, and Rahul Gandhi played along.

Union Minister Giriraj Singh escalated the attack, calling Rahul Gandhi "mentally frustrated". He also asked Sonia Gandhi to "get him help". "Rahul Gandhi appears to be mentally frustrated. His conduct has crossed all limits of decency. If Sonia Gandhi does not intervene and ensure that he receives appropriate help, the situation could become serious," the minister said.

BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj said Rahul Gandhi's language was contrary to the dignity expected of the Leader of Opposition.

Another BJP leader, Shehzad Poonawalla, questioned how low political debate could go, saying that disagreement with PM Modi is entirely legitimate but dragging a woman foreign leader into what he characterised as a crude joke was neither wit nor statesmanship.