Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared a cordial exchange during the customary tea hosted by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Friday (December 19, 2025), following the conclusion of the Winter Session of Parliament. The interaction stood out against previous sessions when Opposition parties often boycotted the event, including the Winter Session last year. In the current 18th Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has attended only one such gathering, after the first session in 2024. Mr. Modi reportedly said that Ethiopia’s progress was far ahead of common perceptions in India, both socially and economically. Leaders thanked Mr. Birla for the smooth conduct of proceedings.

Source: The Hindu December 19, 2025 16:29 UTC