During his visit to the United States, Congress leader and Lok Sabha opposition leader Rahul Gandhi held a meeting with several US lawmakers at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington. The event, hosted by Congressman Bradley James Sherman, saw attendance from prominent figures such as Ilhan Omar, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Barbara Lee, and others.
Ilhan Omar, a Democrat from Minnesota, has frequently drawn attention for her controversial remarks, particularly about India. Recently, Omar commented on the India-Canada diplomatic row, urging the US to fully support Canada’s investigation into India’s alleged role in the assassination of Sikh separatist leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. She also called for a briefing on whether similar operations had occurred in the United States, which sparked reactions from Indian politicians.
Omar’s involvement in the meeting drew criticism from several Indian figures. Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi had previously criticized Omar on social media, condemning her involvement in Jammu & Kashmir-related matters, especially following her 2022 visit to Pakistan, where she met with leaders and visited Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). India had labeled her visit as “narrow-minded politics,” with reports revealing the Pakistani government sponsored her trip.
In the past, Omar has faced criticism for her controversial statements, including her boycott of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s speech to the US Congress, her opposition to US military aid to Israel, and remarks related to the 9/11 attacks. In 2023, she was removed from the House Foreign Affairs Committee following a series of comments deemed antisemitic, including a 2019 tweet suggesting Israel’s political supporters were financially motivated.
Meanwhile, BJP national spokesperson Amit Malviya criticized Rahul Gandhi’s meeting with Omar, calling her a “Pakistan-sponsored anti-India voice” and a “radical Islamist.” He further stated, “Congress is now openly working against India.”
The meeting has reignited debate over Omar’s controversial positions and the political implications of Gandhi’s interactions during his US visit.