On Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s maiden visit to India, when India is looking forward to strengthening bilateral relations with Israel, Congress Twitter account put out a juvenile video making fun of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting world leaders and calling it ‘hugplomacy’.
With Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu visiting India, we look forward to more hugs from PM Modi! #Hugplomacy pic.twitter.com/M3BKK2Mhmf
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 14, 2018
In the video, Prime Minister Modi is shown hugging leaders of other countries, including US President Donald Trump and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Netanyahu is the second Prime Minister of Israel to visit India, the first PM being Ariel Sharon in 2003, during Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s tenure. Netanyahu’s visit comes within 6 months of Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Israel. While Israel is a key partner in areas of defence and agriculture, there is huge scope for co-operation in cyber security, water management and tourism as well.
However, Congress’ juvenile attempt at trivialising the historic step didn’t get many takers. Twitter users were quick to point out how Congress’ attempt at failed humour is unbecoming of an Opposition.
Political parties’ official handles are meant to keep public informed about party’s programs & policies. Pappu party’s single program is trolling opponents https://t.co/zJmT2i9fps
— iMac_too (@iMac_too) January 14, 2018
Is this your understanding of foreign policy @OfficeOfRG !! Disgusting to say the least ! https://t.co/z9N7mjT8I2
— Navroop Singh (@s_navroop) January 14, 2018
Disgusting..homophobic.. uncouth video by @OfficeOfRG party. Shame on congress for not just trying to insult Indian PM bt world leaders too. https://t.co/788gnRtDSC
— Maya (@Sharanyashettyy) January 14, 2018
When Congress failed to find anything against Modi, they came up with his Hug. Really? How low can the desperate Congress fall? https://t.co/LKcB7wX6uQ
— Ankur Singh (@iAnkurSingh) January 14, 2018
Can we have more of this please?
On a different note, Cong is tunring more AAP than AAP itself
Crass, uncouth, uncivilized. https://t.co/Ecbz8FDIod— ResoluteOfficer (@IndiaSpeaksPR) January 14, 2018
RIP Congress.
You are just an appendage of AIB now. Formally AIBCongress.
Seriously, if you think these kind of babalog jibes will get you votes, you might as well shut shop and let the poor kid go to Bangkok. https://t.co/DwwWgkztTZ— | nisheeth sharan | (@nisheethsharan) January 14, 2018
As people pointed out, perhaps political differences aside, when it comes to international relations and diplomacy, the grand old party of Indian politics is expected to maintain some decorum and dignity.