Even Narendra Modi as CM had met the US Ambassador

Former National Security Advisor Shiv Shankar Menon on Monday denied reports that he was present at a meeting Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had with the China’s Ambassador to India, Luo Zhaohui. He, however, confirmed that he had met the Congress leader alone.

Office of Rahul Gandhi also tweeted that he had not only met China’s Ambassador, but also the Ambassador of Bhutan to India and leaders from the Northeast to understand the issues around the Indo-China border standoff at the trijunction of Bhutan, China and India.

Replying to veiled criticism that it was somehow inappropriate during the current standoff, the office of Rahul Gandhi reminded critics that as many as four Union Ministers accepted the hospitality of the Chinese Government last week and visited China during the standoff.

While the debate raged on Twitter, several tweets recalled how BJP leaders, while in opposition, had received the US Ambassador and Ambassadors from the European Union. It was recalled that the then chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi, had met the Ambassadors from EU in February 2014.

Did the meeting the Congress VP had with the Chinese Ambassador constitute in any way a breach of protocol? The former NSA, a former Indian Ambassador to China himself, was categorical in saying that it did not.

Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid described the controversy as silly. “This is a completely legitimate exercise because whenever something like this happens, the diplomatic circles do talk. If the government does not brief the opposition then it is the government which is at fault. When we are not at war, we discuss and if we don’t discuss, then how we will know the views of the other side. It is necessary to know the mind of the other side. Meeting the envoy is perfect and legitimate.

“On climate change, are the US leaders not meeting the leaders of other countries? This is completely silly. If we are not at war with any country and having full diplomatic relations, then it is always good to talk,” Khurshid added.

Speaking to NH , eminent journalist Saeed Naqvi, who has extensively covered foreign affairs, said “Rahul Gandhi meeting Chinese envoy is a small step and such meetings are always useful to break the logjam”.

Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi apparently met the Chinese envoy Luo Zhaohui on Saturday. Congress spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewal tweeted “A wanting to be bhakt channel will not question three Union Ministers visiting China or PM's bonhomie & praise at the G20, yet run fake news!” He also tweeted “Nobody should try to sensationalise such normal courtesy calls."

Last week, Gandhi attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not commenting publicly on the confrontation with China, the longest since the 1962 war fought over Arunachal Pradesh with punishing results for India.

The situation is said to be tense, with the Chinese media suggesting that if India is committed to reach out to Bhutan and protect its territory then ‘a third country’ could interfere in Kashmir at the behest of Pakistan.