Overview

• Congress media chief Pawan Khera announced that the Leader of the Opposition has set off for a four-country visit with meetings planned with presidents, senior leaders, university students and business figures.
• Party functionaries told Hindustan Times that Gandhi boarded his flight on Friday night for at least a week-long trip undertaken in his capacity as Leader of the Opposition.
• Brazil, Colombia, Peru and Chile are on the itinerary, with student interactions specifically flagged in Brazil and Colombia.
• The party frames the visit as strengthening democratic and strategic ties and exploring trade opportunities as India looks to diversify in light of recent U.S. tariffs.
• BJP figures criticized the tour, with Pradeep Bhandari alleging he is building a “global alliance” against India and Sudhanshu Trivedi cautioning about “suspicious” meetings, while critics questioned the timing before the Bihar Assembly election.