What is the rule of meeting the ‘Leader of Opposition’ when a foreign guest arrives?

Leader of Opposition Meeting Foreign Dignitaries: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday accused the government of stopping foreign heads of state from meeting the Leader of Opposition (LoP). He said that it seems that the central government feels insecure. His statement came a few hours before the start of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit to India. Rahul Gandhi told reporters in the Parliament House complex that the Narendra Modi government or the External Affairs Ministry is not respecting the long-standing tradition of foreign leaders meeting the Leader of the Opposition.

Rahul Gandhi said, “Generally the tradition is that people who come from abroad, they meet the leader of the opposition. This used to happen during the time of Vajpayee ji (Atal Bihari Vajpayee), during the time of Manmohan Singh ji, this has been the tradition. But nowadays what happens is that when foreign heads of state come and when I go abroad, the government suggests them not to meet the leader of the opposition.”

We also represent the country
According to the Telegraph, without directly naming Putin, Rahul Gandhi said, “We also represent India, only the government does not represent India. The government does not want the opposition leader to meet foreign leaders. It is a tradition (foreign heads of state or dignitaries meeting the leader of the opposition), a rule. But Modi ji does not follow this rule, the Ministry of External Affairs does not follow this rule.” When asked why the government was doing this, Rahul Gandhi replied, “It is their insecurity.”

Priyanka also targeted the government
Rahul’s sister and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi also targeted the government and alleged that the established protocols were being violated. He said, “This is strange. It is protocol that the visiting foreign head of state meets the leader of the opposition. But the policy of this government is based on not allowing other voices to be raised. I don’t know what kind of fear and insecurity they have. In a democracy, everyone should have the right to express their views. This government is insecure and this is a reflection of that. It puts our democracy in danger.”

There are no official rules
It is not a fixed and official ‘rule’ for foreign heads of state to meet the leader of the opposition when they visit India. But it has been considered a part of democratic ‘Tradition’ and etiquette (Protocol/Custom). There is no explicit mandatory rule in the protocols issued by the Government of India or the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) that every foreign head of state has to meet the leader of the opposition. Given the nature of India’s parliamentary democracy, this has been an established tradition. The Leader of the Opposition (LoP) also represents the Parliament and the country. Foreign leaders meeting him gives a comprehensive picture of the country’s politics and different viewpoints. This meeting mainly depends on the schedule of the visiting foreign leader whether he has time or not.