India, Oct. 17 -- The Union government on Friday dismissed the Opposition's criticism of external affairs minister S Jaishankar travelling to Mumbai to meet his US counterpart Marco Rubio next week by saying it has been the practice over the past decade for foreign dignitaries to be hosted outside New Delhi.

Leaders of the Congress party criticised the government after US ambassador Sergio Gor said at a public event that "we expect. Jaishankar to be joining us [in Mumbai]" for the US secretary of state's visit. Rubio is set to travel to Mumbai and Jamnagar, and the Capital is not part of his itinerary.

Responding to questions on the Opposition's criticism that the external affairs minister had been "summoned" to Mumbai by the US, extern...