“Hope the Indian foreign minister can come to Mumbai to meet Rubio,” said the U.S. ambassador — a comment that has stirred discontent among Indians.
The irritation stems from the fact that Rubio’s visit to India will not include a stop in New Delhi. Instead, he is scheduled to meet Indian officials in Mumbai.
This arrangement has drawn criticism from Indian media and opposition parties, particularly the Congress Party, after U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gómez remarked: “The United States hopes that Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar can travel to Mumbai to meet with Rubio.” The statement was condemned by the Congress as tantamount to “the United States summoning India’s foreign minister to Mumbai.”
Although the Indian Ministry of External Affairs noted that it is common practice for Indian officials to receive foreign envoys outside New Delhi, this explanation has failed to dispel growing concerns over perceived American condescension and allegations that the Modi government is unwilling to demonstrate deference to U.S. expectations.
Ultimately, the controversy reflects a backlash against the Modi administration’s long-standing narrative of India as a rising global power—“a voice to be reckoned with,” where even the United States must show respect. As this self-image has become entrenched domestically, it has created vulnerability for opposition forces to exploit, turning minor diplomatic arrangements into symbolic tests of national prestige. Even if the government offers plausible justifications, public skepticism persists.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879383021525001/
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