Shashi Tharoor invited to President’s dinner for Putin, Rahul Gandhi not invited; will attend dinner, says Tharoor

NEW DELHI: Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is currently on a visit to India, will attend an official state dinner hosted by President Droupadi Murmu. However, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has not been invited. Rajya Sabha Opposition leader Mallikarjun Kharge has also been left out. In contrast, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has received an invitation. Congress sources confirmed that both Rahul Gandhi and Kharge will not attend the event.

Tharoor explained that he was invited in his capacity as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs and confirmed his participation. He added that he had no information on why Rahul Gandhi was excluded.

According to national media reports, Tharoor’s longstanding engagement with the Russian diplomatic community may have contributed to the invitation. Responding indirectly to Tharoor’s decision to attend, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera remarked that if certain senior leaders were deliberately excluded, none of them should participate. “Everyone has their own conscience,” he said.

Hosting a state banquet for visiting heads of state is a long-standing tradition in India. Continuing this practice, President Murmu will host a formal dinner for President Putin today.