New Delhi: Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has accused the central government of blocking opposition leaders from meeting with foreign dignitaries, alleging a break from established tradition and citing "insecurity" as the motivation behind the move.

Speaking to reporters in the Parliament House complex on Thursday, Gandhi stated that it was customary for visiting leaders to meet with the Leader of Opposition (LoP), a practice he says was observed during the tenures of former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh. He claims that this tradition is no longer being followed by the current government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Normally, the tradition is that those who come from abroad have a meeting with the LoP," Gandhi said. "This used to happen during Vajpayee ji's time, Manmohan Singh ji's time; it has been a tradition, but what happens these days is that when foreign dignitaries come and when I go abroad, the government suggests to them not to meet the LoP".

Gandhi further claimed that the opposition receives messages indicating that foreign dignitaries have been advised by the government not to meet with them. He argues that the Leader of Opposition provides an alternative perspective and that the opposition also represents India, not just the government. "We also represent India; only the government does not represent India," he asserted.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, also a Congress MP, echoed her brother's concerns, calling the alleged change in protocol "very weird". She added, "There is a protocol, and all visiting dignitaries meet the LoP. The protocol is being reversed by the government and all their policies are based on this. They don't want anyone to raise their voice. They don't want to listen to any other opinion. They should abide by the protocols of a democracy".

Shashi Tharoor, another Congress MP, commented on Rahul Gandhi's allegations, stating, "The LoP has made his point, and I think the government should respond... In a democracy, it would be nice that the visiting dignitaries meet everyone".

Gandhi's remarks come hours before Russian President Vladimir Putin's scheduled arrival in New Delhi for a two-day state visit. When asked if the government's actions were due to insecurity, Gandhi responded in the affirmative. He did not directly mention Putin in his statement.