MEA dismisses Congress claims over Jaishankar-Rubio meeting venue

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday pushed back against Congress party criticism regarding the venue selection for the meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio, emphasizing that hosting foreign officials in multiple Indian cities constitutes a long-standing diplomatic convention.

Congress leaders had questioned why the talks were held in Mumbai rather than Delhi, suggesting the choice reflected deference to the United States. The party claimed Washington had effectively summoned India's top diplomat to the financial capital, a characterization the MEA firmly disputed.

Official sources reiterated that India routinely conducts high-level bilateral engagements across various cities depending on operational and strategic considerations. The practice reflects India's federal structure and reinforces the nation's multicentric approach to international relations, according to MEA representatives.

The bilateral meeting between Jaishankar and Rubio, the newly appointed US Secretary of State, was held to discuss issues of mutual concern and strengthen India-US ties. Diplomatic engagements of this nature typically include venue discussions that factor in multiple practical and symbolic considerations beyond protocol hierarchy.

The MEA's response underscores New Delhi's position that decisions on diplomatic event locations are based on established conventions and operational needs rather than hierarchical messaging, dismissing what it characterizes as speculative interpretations by political opponents.