Union Minister Pabitra Margherita is poised to embark on a crucial diplomatic journey, representing India at the forthcoming G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting in South Africa. The high-level gathering is expected to delve into pressing global development issues, including fostering inclusive growth, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening international cooperation.
Official sources have confirmed that Minister Margherita’s itinerary extends beyond the G20 meeting, encompassing significant official visits to the Kingdom of Eswatini and the Kingdom of Lesotho. These engagements are designed to facilitate high-level discussions aimed at reinforcing India’s developmental and diplomatic footprint across the African continent. The Ministry of External Affairs, in a statement, underscored the significance of the G20 platform, noting, “The G20 Development Ministers’ Meeting will address a wide spectrum of global challenges. Minister Margherita will put forth India’s vision for inclusive and sustainable development.”
Meanwhile, back home in Assam, a political tempest is brewing, coinciding with the visit of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi to the state. Minister Margherita wasted no time in launching a blistering attack on the grand old party, extending a rather caustic welcome to the Congress leadership. “I welcome Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to Assam. Let them witness the transformation brought under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma,” Margherita remarked, pulling no punches.
He further ignited the political discourse by accusing Kharge of disrespecting the revered Assamese cultural icon and Bharat Ratna recipient, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. “The people of Assam have not forgotten the disrespect shown by Kharge when the Bharat Ratna was conferred upon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika,” the Minister asserted. Margherita did not mince words in criticising the Congress party’s historical governance in the state. “For decades of injustice, apathy, and neglect during Congress rule, both Kharge and Rahul Gandhi owe an apology to the people of Assam,” he declared. These sharp exchanges underscore the escalating political temperature in Assam, with the 2026 Assembly elections drawing ever closer. While the Congress is actively working to revitalise its presence, the BJP appears keen on spotlighting its governance achievements and robustly countering any opposition resurgence.
Read More: Kharge and Gandhi arrive in Guwahati; Congress Prepares for Crucial 2026 Assam Assembly Polls