The Indian National Congress on Friday sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi after U.S. President Donald Trump repeated his claim that he stopped last year’s conflict between India and Pakistan, accusing the prime minister of remaining “completely silent” on the assertions even as Trump approaches a century of repeated statements about his role.
In remarks reported by multiple news outlets, Congress leaders invoked Trump as Modi’s “good friend in Washington DC,” highlighting that Trump has repeated his claim multiple times—including twice in one day—about mediating a halt to hostilities between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, a point the opposition says warrants a response from New Delhi.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh lambasted Modi’s recent 97-minute speech in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Parliament, arguing that the prime minister failed to address serious questions, notably about Trump’s claims and broader foreign policy issues. Ramesh described Modi’s address as “pathetic” and said it revealed “insecurities” and prejudices, while also accusing him of dodging substantive queries raised by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge.
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The controversy stems from Trump’s assertions—made at a National Prayer Breakfast in Washington and on social media—that he had prevented a war between India and Pakistan and even stopped nuclear conflict from breaking out. Trump has framed this as one of several global conflicts he says he ended.
India officially rejects the notion of third-party mediation in its bilateral disputes with Pakistan, maintaining that any ceasefire or negotiations were conducted directly between the two countries’ military and diplomatic channels, countering Trump’s narrative.
The opposition’s criticism also evoked other contentious foreign policy episodes, including comments about India’s handling of previous border tensions with China, reflecting broader political pressure on the Modi government ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. As the debate unfolds, it underscores growing political tensions in India over perceptions of national sovereignty, international diplomacy, and accountability in responding to foreign leaders’ public claims.
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