Foreign Ministry Refutes Interference, Labels Eiffel Tower Incident as Private Tour Matter

The Ministry of External Affairs of India on Tuesday dismissed any suggestion of diplomatic involvement in the recent Eiffel Tower episode, calling it a private‑tour issue between the BAPS delegation and the tower’s administrators. Spokesperson Ranvir Jaiswal said, “We are aware of the temple inauguration in the Paris area, but the specific matter concerning the tower is entirely between the concerned parties.”

The statement arrived after a news report alleged that women working at the iconic monument were asked to vacate certain sections while the BAPS group toured the site. The ministry’s response clarified that the incident does not warrant a government stance beyond acknowledging the facts.

BAPS later posted on X, denying any restriction on tower access and apologising for any inconvenience caused. The organization explained that the visit was arranged in coordination with monument management shortly before public opening hours to reduce impact on regular visitors.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo reacted by promising a prompt investigation, validating the upset expressed by the tower’s staff. The Indian ministry’s neutral tone reflects a careful balance between supporting cultural exchanges and respecting the host nation’s internal affairs.