The external affairs ministry official clarified that the Indian government has “never questioned” over who the visiting foreign dignitary wishes to bring along.
During the visit of former president Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008, the government was to accord the rights of first lady to his then companion Carla Bruni, who decided against coming at the time, the official added.
Sarkozy and Bruni came to India during the 2010 visit as man and wife.
“The government of India has never questioned who the dignitary is accompanied by... could be his wife, daughter, or even the number of wives...,” the official said.