Who is Ilhan Omar, US Congresswoman who met Rahul Gandhi in Washington
Published: Sep 10, 2024, 20:51 IST | Updated: Sep 10, 2024, 20:51 IST
INC leader met US Congresswoman Ilhan Omar
Indian National Congress (INC) leader Rahul Gandhi, currently on a trip to the US, met prominent lawmakers of the country at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Tuesday (Sep 10). Among the political bigwigs, Gandhi's meeting with Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, known for her anti-India stance has become the centre of controversy.
Gandhi, who has been interacting with the diaspora as well as students and faculty at various universities has already received flak for his comments regarding the Sikh community. His meeting with Omar, known for taking pronounced anti-India positions is expected to invite the opposition parties to drive into him.
Shri @RahulGandhi met with U.S. lawmakers at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C.
Attendees:
•Hosted by Congressman Bradley James Sherman
•Congressman Jonathan Jackson
•Congressman Ro Khanna
•Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi
•Congresswoman Barbara Lee… pic.twitter.com/zVUJz5VmrW
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) immediately latched onto the opportunity and called out Gandhi for trying to play divisive politics.
"After spewing venom against Sikhs & running down India on foreign soil now Rahul Gandhi meets & engages with anti-India Ilhan Omar," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
"Why did Rahul Gandhi have to meet her? Why is he engaging with the most radical anti-India elements on every foreign trip? In BJP virodh - desh virodh is ok?'
After spewing venom against Sikhs & running down India on foreign soil now Rahul Gandhi meets & engages with anti India Ilhan Omar - 1) Ilhan had introduced anti India resolutions in US Congress 2) She has been against abrogation of Art 370 3) She violated India’s sovereignty &… pic.twitter.com/3YndaPSLa4
Omar is a Democrat leader, currently serving as the US representative for Minnesota’s 5th congressional district since 2019. The annual House financial disclosure last year revealed that Omar's controversial visit to Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in 2022 was sponsored by the Pakistani government.
During her visit, Omar engaged in discussions with then-Pakistan prime minister Shahbaz Sharif and Hina Rabbani Khar, former minister of state for foreign affairs.
In the same year, Omar brought a resolution in the US Congress criticising New Delhi for alleged human rights abuses, particularly targeting Muslims. The Democrat leader demanded that India be designated as a "country of particular concern".
Omar also batted for the White House to support Canada's investigation into India's alleged role in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar's death.
(With inputs from agencies)