In a development that sheds light on the internal unease between high-ranking constitutional offices and the Central government, former Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar is said to have been disappointed over his limited international engagements and repeated protocol lapses by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) during his tenure.

Official sources, speaking to The Hindu, revealed that Dhankhar’s 35-month term as Vice-President saw only four bilateral international trips, a figure significantly lower than what was traditionally expected of someone in his position. His office had repeatedly raised concerns with the MEA, suggesting a growing dissatisfaction with the support and recognition extended to his role.

Discord Rooted in Foreign Policy Assignments

One of the primary areas of friction appears to have been Dhankhar’s perceived exclusion from significant foreign policy assignments. While the Vice-President of India is not a policy-making authority, historically, they have played a ceremonial and goodwill role in representing the country abroad — engaging in state visits, high-level summits, and intergovernmental events.

However, sources indicate that Dhankhar felt a marked difference in how his foreign engagements were handled, compared to his predecessors. His foreign travels were limited, and when scheduled, protocol arrangements were not consistently honoured, according to complaints raised by his office to the MEA.

This, insiders say, led to a sense of marginalisation, with Dhankhar reportedly feeling that his constitutional stature was being undermined. The disconnect between his office and the government, especially in diplomatic contexts, became a source of discontent.

Comparisons With Predecessors

While exact travel data for all past Vice-Presidents is not publicly listed, previous officeholders like Hamid Ansari undertook numerous international visits during their tenures, often representing India at high-profile events across continents. Dhankhar’s foreign travel count being limited to just four suggests a departure from this norm.

Former VP Hamid Ansari had visited over 20 countries, building India’s diplomatic profile in multiple regions, including Central Asia, Africa, and Latin America. His role in soft diplomacy, trade forums, and global institutional meetings was seen as an extension of India's outreach. In contrast, Dhankhar's curtailed travel list raises serious questions about the evolving expectations from the Vice-President’s office.

Protocol Lapses: A Matter of Concern

Equally concerning for Dhankhar’s office were protocol lapses, which in diplomatic and governmental functioning, are not just technical issues but indicators of respect and recognition of office. The Vice-President, being the second-highest constitutional authority, is expected to be accorded the highest level of dignity in ceremonial and international proceedings.

The MEA’s alleged failure to maintain consistent protocol standards, as highlighted in internal complaints, created a perception of deliberate oversight. While no direct confrontation between Dhankhar and government officials has been reported publicly, the pattern of grievances point to a strained working relationship.

Dhankhar’s Background and Political Evolution

Before taking office as Vice-President, Jagdeep Dhankhar had served as the Governor of West Bengal, where he was often in the spotlight for his frequent clashes with the state government. Known for his outspoken approach and close association with the ruling party, Dhankhar’s elevation to Vice-President was seen as part of a broader political strategy.

However, his time in the Vice-President’s office remained comparatively low-profile, with few speeches, events, or initiatives that captured public or media attention — something that may have further added to his sense of marginalisation.

Unlike some of his predecessors who leveraged the ceremonial role for thought leadership and cultural diplomacy, Dhankhar’s public engagements remained limited, and his ability to shape narratives on national or global platforms remained underutilised.

Government’s Perspective Not Yet Public

It is important to note that the Ministry of External Affairs has not issued any official clarification or rebuttal regarding these internal concerns. While government sources remain tight-lipped, the repeated internal communications from the VP's office suggest that the differences were substantial enough to leave a lingering sense of dissatisfaction.

If not addressed, such issues may raise questions on how constitutional authorities are treated within the broader executive framework, particularly when those authorities feel their roles are being downplayed.

What This Means for Constitutional Protocol in India

This episode brings attention to an important institutional question — what is the evolving role of India’s Vice-President, and to what extent should it be ceremonial versus participatory?

While the Constitution does not define specific foreign engagement duties for the Vice-President, the convention has always supported their inclusion in state visits and ceremonial diplomacy. If this pattern changes without public explanation, it risks altering the constitutional balance and public perception of the office.

The Vice-President also serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, an important legislative responsibility. However, foreign policy engagement has long been seen as a symbol of India’s unity across institutions, and bypassing such traditions may weaken the country’s image abroad.

Political Implications

Although there is no indication that Dhankhar will publicly voice his grievances post-tenure, the leak of such internal issues to the media itself reflects a certain degree of institutional frustration. It could also impact how future Vice-Presidents assess their role, especially if protocol and engagement expectations continue to decline.

Some political analysts suggest that differences in political priorities and centralised foreign policy management by the PMO and MEA might have contributed to Dhankhar’s diminished role abroad.

It may also reflect a broader trend where power is increasingly concentrated, leaving constitutional figureheads with limited real-world utility, beyond ceremonial appearances.

Conclusion

The reported discontent of Jagdeep Dhankhar during his tenure as Vice-President of India shines a light on a less-discussed aspect of India’s governance — how top constitutional offices are managed, respected, and involved in foreign affairs. The concerns over limited foreign travel, protocol lapses, and reduced foreign policy involvement must be viewed not just as personal grievances, but as institutional gaps that may need course correction.

A more transparent explanation from the government or the MEA could help address these concerns and clarify the actual expectations from the Vice-President’s office going forward. Ensuring that constitutional dignity and inter-institutional respect are upheld is crucial for a vibrant and balanced democracy.

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