Mr. Rahul Gandhi has a stature across the globe. Now, if you are the Prime Minister of a country like India, inevitably, you have a reach across the globe. But somebody who has not been prime minister yet is the Leader of the Opposition, having that kind of outreach and demand… pic.twitter.com/m7McgBu76W
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 16, 2025
Rahul Gandhi’s Germany Visit Highlights India’s Global Political and Economic Engagement
Former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid says Rahul Gandhi’s Germany visit reflects his growing global stature and could strengthen India’s ties with Europe, investment, and progressive political alliances worldwide.
New Delhi, 16th December 2025: Senior Congress leader and former External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has underlined the global stature of Rahul Gandhi, describing his growing international outreach as a significant asset for India at a time of global uncertainty.
Speaking on Rahul Gandhi’s forthcoming visit to Germany, Khurshid said that while global influence naturally comes with the office of the Prime Minister, it is noteworthy that the Leader of the Opposition—who has never held the post—commands such international attention and demand. “That, in itself, is a very significant thing,” he said, adding that India should see this as an advantage rather than diminish decisions taken after careful consideration.
Khurshid rejected criticism surrounding Gandhi’s travel at a time when Parliament is in session, noting that parliamentary responsibilities are important for all leaders, including the Prime Minister. However, he pointed out that international engagements are often scheduled beyond the control of domestic calendars and, in certain cases, cannot be postponed. Questioning such decisions, he said, was “uncharitable, unkind and unreasonable.”
Highlighting the importance of the visit, Khurshid said Rahul Gandhi is travelling to Germany at the invitation of the Progressive Alliance, a global grouping of 117 progressive political parties, with 30 currently in power across different countries. Gandhi has been invited to participate in the Presidium of the Alliance, a role Khurshid believes will allow him to make a substantial contribution, as he did earlier at the Bharat Summit, where the Alliance had expressed its appreciation of his engagement.
Placing the visit in a wider geopolitical context, Khurshid said the world is passing through a period of flux, with a new global order taking shape and several uncertainties still unresolved. He stressed that Europe’s role—both in its internal dynamics and in relation to conflicts such as Ukraine and Russia—holds immense importance for India.
India’s engagement with Europe, he noted, extends beyond political dialogue to cooperation with advanced industries and investment networks. Khurshid expressed confidence that Rahul Gandhi would have opportunities to interact with leading figures from Europe’s industrial sector and that the outcomes of such interactions could benefit India in the long run.
“At a time when India needs greater global investment, including from Europe, this visit could make a meaningful contribution,” Khurshid said, adding that the gains from such international engagement should not be overlooked.
