Chicago – September 10, 2024
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the opposition, travelled to the United States for a three-day tour from September 8 to 10. This trip marks his first visit to America since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where his party, the Indian National Congress, secured 99 seats. During his stay, Gandhi will visit Dallas and Washington DC, focusing on meetings with the Indian diaspora and business and academic leaders.
The visit is notably scheduled before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly. Gandhi’s engagement in the U.S. follows heightened international interactions with the Congress Party, demonstrated by recent meetings with global leaders like Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Bhutanese Prime Minister Lotay Tshering.
This visit was crucial for Gandhi, who aimed to connect with the Indian-American diaspora—a group historically supporting Modi and contributing significantly to his political campaigns. Additionally, Gandhi’s overseas activities have sparked debate in India, with critics arguing that his criticisms of the Modi government overseas may undermine India’s image abroad.
