Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Sunday amid an ongoing deadlock in Parliament and rising diplomatic friction with the United States over trade and defence ties with Russia.
The Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed the meeting in a brief statement posted on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan.” However, no further details of the meeting were made public.
The meeting came as Parliament remained largely stalled since the start of the Monsoon session on July 21, with opposition parties demanding an in-depth discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The opposition has alleged irregularities in the SIR process, calling it a politically motivated move ahead of the state assembly elections due next year. Except for brief discussions in both Houses on “Operation Sindoor,” a military-led rescue and repatriation mission, legislative business has been minimal as both Houses witnessed frequent disruptions and adjournments. Modi’s visit to the President also follows growing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Washington. Just days earlier, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian exports and signaled possible further penalties in response to India’s continued purchases of Russian oil and military hardware—moves that have drawn criticism from the U.S. and other Western nations amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict. While the Indian government has not officially responded to Trump’s announcement, New Delhi has consistently defended its strategic autonomy and maintained that its energy and defence imports serve its national interests. Analysts view the Prime Minister’s meeting with the President as a customary but significant consultation during a politically sensitive period marked by legislative paralysis and foreign policy headwinds.
With key bills pending and crucial state elections approaching, pressure is mounting on the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to restore order in Parliament and address both domestic and international concerns.
