Tharoor invited to Putin banquet, not Rahul Gandhi amid LoP meeting row.

• Shashi Tharoor was invited to the President's banquet for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
• Rahul Gandhi was not invited to the banquet for the visiting Russian President.
• Rahul Gandhi alleged the Centre advised Putin against meeting opposition leaders due to government "insecurity."
• The Centre stated that meetings outside government engagements are at the discretion of the visiting delegation.
• The Centre listed instances where the Leader of Opposition met foreign dignitaries, including the PMs of Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Mauritius, and New Zealand.

Why It Matters: Underscores political friction over opposition's access to foreign dignitaries.