Politics – Congress Targets PM After Trump Repeats Claim on India-Pakistan Truce
Politics – The Congress on Friday sharpened its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after former US President Donald Trump once again asserted that he played a role in stopping a conflict between India and Pakistan last year. The opposition party questioned the Prime Minister’s continued silence on the claim, suggesting that the issue raises serious diplomatic and political concerns.
According to the Congress, Trump’s repeated remarks place the Indian government in an uncomfortable position, particularly as New Delhi has consistently rejected any suggestion of third-party mediation between India and Pakistan. The party said the Prime Minister has avoided addressing the matter publicly despite the claim being made multiple times on international platforms.
Congress Questions Silence on Trump’s Repeated Statements
Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said Trump, described sarcastically as the Prime Minister’s “good friend in Washington DC,” appears determined to keep repeating the assertion that he intervened to halt what he referred to as Operation Sindoor. Ramesh remarked that the frequency of such claims is increasing, yet the Prime Minister has chosen not to respond.
The Congress leader argued that continued silence could create confusion about India’s long-standing position on bilateral issues with Pakistan. India has maintained that all matters between the two countries are resolved directly, without outside involvement.
Criticism of Rajya Sabha Address
The opposition’s criticism was not limited to foreign policy. Ramesh also took aim at the Prime Minister’s speech in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, delivered in response to the motion of thanks to the President’s address. He said the Prime Minister failed to respond to substantive questions raised by Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge during the debate.
According to Ramesh, the nearly 97-minute speech focused more on political attacks than on addressing concerns related to governance and accountability. He claimed the Prime Minister appeared constrained by long-held grievances and avoided engaging with issues that required clear answers in Parliament.
Strong Words From Congress Leadership
In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh used unusually sharp language to describe the Prime Minister’s conduct. He alleged that the speech reflected insecurity and an unwillingness to confront criticism. While acknowledging the Prime Minister’s repeated self-praise, Ramesh said such declarations do little to counter questions about leadership and responsibility.
He further linked the current silence on Trump’s remarks to past controversies, including the government’s response to the 2020 clash with Chinese forces in eastern Ladakh, where several Indian soldiers lost their lives. Ramesh suggested a pattern of avoiding uncomfortable international issues.
Trump Reiterates Claims on Global Platforms
Trump repeated his assertion twice in a single day, first while speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast in the United States. He listed multiple global conflicts and claimed credit for ending or de-escalating them, including tensions between India and Pakistan.
Later, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump went further, stating that US intervention had prevented nuclear conflict between several countries. He cited India and Pakistan among examples, along with Iran and Israel and Russia and Ukraine. He also highlighted military expansions undertaken during his presidency.
Trump has made similar claims since May 10 last year, when he announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire following what he described as overnight talks mediated by Washington.
India Reaffirms Its Stand on Mediation
The Indian government has consistently denied any role by external powers in managing tensions with Pakistan. Officials have repeatedly stated that ceasefire decisions and military de-escalation are bilateral matters handled through established channels.
Despite Trump’s renewed remarks, the Prime Minister has not issued a formal response. The Congress insists that clarity is necessary to protect India’s diplomatic position, while the government has so far chosen not to engage publicly with the former US president’s claims.