India's prominent political leader Rahul Gandhi is most likely going to skip his visit to China next week, according to reports in Indian media. The vice president of India's grand old Congress party returned back to his home country on Tuesday from an 11-day foreign vacation.

Reports in Indian media claimed that Gandhi was prompted to call off his China visit amid criticism that he is busy vacationing abroad while his congress party is set to face state elections very soon. India's five states are set to go for polls very soon including the critical states of Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.               

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A Congress spokesperson told a leading Indian news channel that Congress delegation will head to China, but it is "not finalized" if Rahul Gandhi will accompany them. Other party sources said it was unlikely.

Gandhi was invited by the Communist Party of China (CPC) for a weeklong visit, which was supposed to commence on Jan 15. The Congress vice president and other key party members were scheduled to meet several Chinese leaders and discuss about wide range of issues affecting their bilateral ties.

Gandhi so far has refused to issue any comments on his China visit.

If Rahul Gandhi does go ahead with his visit to China, then he would be the first high profile to visit the country after Beijing's latest snub over Masood Azhar issues. The Azhar and Nuclear Supplier Group issues have apparently become thorny issues between the two countries.

Although Gandhi's congress party currently sits in opposition, expert said that his views would have still hold importance for Chinese leaders.  

TagsRahul Gandhi, china, India and China, Rahul Gandhi China