India, Feb. 3 -- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and dismissed his claims that the Indian government sent him to the US to secure an invitation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony.

In his strong rebuttal to Gandhi's claims, Jaishankar said the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha deliberately spoke a 'falsehood' about his visits to the USA in December last year.

"Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi deliberately spoke a falsehood about my visit to the US in December 2024," Jaishankar posted on X.

"I went to meet the Secretary of State and NSA of the Biden Administration. Also to chair a gathering of our Consuls General. During my stay, the...