Embarking on 3-city US tour, Rahul Gandhi’s packed itinerary: Stanford University talk to NRI, media events

Days before Rahul's departure, a Delhi court on Friday would rule on his plea seeking NOC for an 'ordinary passport' as he surrendered his diplomatic passport upon his disqualification as an MP

Rahul Gandhi will embark on a six-day, three-city tour of the United States on May 30. (File Photo)

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Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will embark on a six-day, three-city tour of the United States on May 30 during which he will have interactions with the NRI community, business leaders and media persons. He will have a range of such engagements in San Francisco, Washington DC and New York.

But a last minute legal hurdle is giving anxious moments to the Congress. On Friday, a Delhi court is set to give its ruling on Rahul’s plea seeking a no-objection certificate (NOC) for issuance of an “ordinary passport” to him after he surrendered his diplomatic passport following his disqualification as an MP.

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According to his itinerary, Rahul will spend two days each in San Francisco, Washington DC and New York. On May 30, he will have an interaction with the NRI community at Santa Clara Marriott in Santa Clara.

Rahul will deliver a talk at the Stanford University in Silicon Valley on the topic “The New Global Equilibrium” on May 31. The talk at the Stanford Graduate School of Business is being organised by the Center on Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law.

The former Congress president is slated to have separate meetings with business leaders and a group of artists, even as he is also scheduled to give some media interviews.

Rahul will be in Washington on June 1 and 2. On June 1, he will speak at the National Press Club on the future of Indian democracy, freedom of speech, and sustainable and inclusive economic growth. An interview with Fareed Zakaria for CNN is being planned. Rahul will also attend a dinner hosted by Indian-American entrepreneur Frank Islam, where in attendance would be business leaders, Senators and Congressmen.

In New York, Rahul will address Indian Americans on June 4 at the Javits Center besides having a meeting with the Indian Overseas Congress members from across America.

Rahul’s passport plea

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Rahul approached a Delhi court on Tuesday, seeking an NOC for the issuance of an “ordinary passport” to him after he surrendered his diplomatic passport upon his disqualification as a Lok Sabha MP in March following his conviction in a defamation case.

While hearing his plea, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) Vaibhav Mehta observed that the right to travel is a fundamental right and that the courts have not placed any restrictions on the movements of Rahul,

who had travelled several times abroad without having to obtain a permission.

At the same time, ACMM Mehta said former BJP MP Subramanian Swamy has the right to file a reply on the Congress leader’s application. Rahul is an accused in the National Herald case in which Swamy is the complainant. The court has asked Swamy to file his reply by Friday. The ACMM noted that while granting bail to Rahul in December 2015, the court had placed no restrictions on his travel and that Swamy’s plea for imposition of curbs was then rejected.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More