Govt defends Jaishankar-Rubio meet in Mumbai amid Oppn criticism: 'Practice for last decade or so'

Hindustan TimesIndependentCenter5 hr. ago

The Indian government defended the decision to host US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Mumbai rather than New Delhi, stating that hosting foreign dignitaries outside the capital has been a common practice for over a decade. The move came after Congress leaders criticized the arrangement, with some suggesting that the US had 'summoned' External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to Mumbai. In response, the External Affairs Ministry highlighted previous instances where Indian leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had hosted foreign counterparts in cities across the country. The upcoming meetings between Jaishankar and Rubio aim to strengthen India-US relations, focusing on areas such as energy, trade, defense, and technology. Additionally, Jaishankar will host the UAE's Deputy Prime Minister in Mumbai ahead of the discussions with Rubio.

Bias read (Center): The article presents both the government's justification for hosting Rubio in Mumbai and the opposition's criticism, providing balanced quotes from both sides. It does not favor one perspective over the other and includes details from multiple stakeholders, including the External Affairs Ministry's'

India TodayIndependentProgressive8 hr. ago

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will meet US Senator Marco Rubio in Mumbai on October 20, according to confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This follows controversy over the announcement of the meeting, which was initially made by US envoy Sergio Gor rather than Indian authorities. The Congress party criticized the government, accusing it of allowing US influence over India's foreign policy decisions. Rahul Gandhi mocked the situation, suggesting that Jaishankar was being summoned like an employee. The MEA clarified that hosting foreign dignitaries in different cities is standard practice, but the timing and lack of transparency around the meeting sparked political debate.

Bias read (Progressive): The article frames the controversy as a criticism of the Modi government's perceived subservience to US interests, using language like 'Congress hit out at Modi govt' and quoting Rahul Gandhi's sarcastic remarks. The emphasis on questioning the government's autonomy in foreign policy suggests a left