'But what sort of friendship is this?' Congress Questions PM Modi-Trump Ties

Congress party on Tuesday questioned the depth of the Prime Minister's much-touted friendship with US President Donald Trump, following the American leader's effusive praise for Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, whom India accuses of links to anti-India terrorism. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh highlighted the apparent contradiction, noting that while Modi and Trump frequently refer to each other as close allies, Trump's actions suggest otherwise. "Prime Minister Modi keeps calling President Trump his good friend, and to be fair, the American leader also keeps calling Modi his good friend. But what sort of friendship is this?" Ramesh posted on X.

Ramesh pointed to specific instances, including Trump's unprecedented White House lunch for Munir—elevated to "Field Marshal" in the Congress narrative—on June 18, 2025, and a follow-up meeting on September 26, 2025, where Munir gifted Trump a box of rare earth minerals. The criticism intensified with Trump's remarks in Egypt on Monday, where he dubbed Munir "my favourite Field Marshal" during a summit of world leaders convened after a Gaza ceasefire ended the Israel-Hamas war.

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This praise came as Trump invited Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to speak at the event, placing him in a position of prominence. "What kind of signal is President Trump sending to India, in spite of Mr. Modi's desperate attempts to ingratiate himself with the US President?" Ramesh asked, linking Munir to "inflammatory and communally poisonous remarks" that allegedly set the stage for the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives and were orchestrated by Pakistan-based groups.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore echoed the attack, stating that Munir has overseen terror plots and cross-border aggression against India under Modi's tenure. "Under Modi's watch, the world is not standing with India—it's now praising those who target India. This is not diplomacy; this is disaster," Tagore said. He lambasted Modi's claims of unparalleled global strength for India, asking, "Where is the 56-inch diplomacy now? Where is the 'strong leader' who said he would isolate Pakistan internationally?"

Tagore emphasized that when India's adversaries receive endorsements while the Prime Minister stays silent, it exposes the collapse of Modi's foreign policy. "Loud on propaganda, mute on national pride," he added, asserting that true foreign policy demands principled resolve, not mere photo opportunities or embraces. "Foreign policy isn't about hugs—it's about standing firm for the nation's dignity," he declared.

During his Egypt address, Trump balanced his praise for Pakistan by lauding India indirectly. "India is a great country with a very good friend of mine at the top, and he's just done a fantastic job. I think Pakistan and India are going to live very nicely together," Trump said, glancing at Sharif, who responded with a chuckle.

Sharif, in turn, nominated Trump for another Nobel Peace Prize, crediting him with saving lives in South Asia and the Middle East. Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for brokering peace between India and Pakistan, asserting he resolved eight global conflicts, including theirs, despite missing out on the Nobel. Since May 10, 2025, when he announced a US-mediated ceasefire on social media, Trump has touted this achievement numerous times.

India, however, insists the ceasefire—ending hostilities sparked by Operation Sindoor on May 7, where Indian forces targeted terror camps in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for Pahalgam—was achieved through direct DGMO-level talks between the two nations' militaries, following four days of intense drone and missile exchanges.

The Congress's broadside underscores growing domestic scrutiny of Modi's international engagements, portraying Trump's overtures to Pakistan's leadership as a diplomatic setback for New Delhi amid ongoing regional tensions.

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