Congress' Pawan Khera Targets PM Modi Over Silence On Trump's Iran Remarks At Funeral

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha member Pawan Khera on Sunday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on recent remarks made by US President Donald Trump regarding Iran during the funeral of the country’s slain Supreme Leader, accusing the Centre of failing to respond to what he described as provocative statements.

In a statement, Khera alleged that Prime Minister Modi had chosen not to condemn Trump's comments and questioned the government's response to developments involving Iran. The Congress leader described the Prime Minister as “compromised” and accused the government of lacking the “moral courage” to criticise what he termed “reckless insinuations of violence” made by the US President.

Taking aim at the Centre's foreign policy stance, Khera said the government was “incapable” of condemning statements made by its “masters in the United States.” He argued that India, as a country with an independent foreign policy tradition, should speak out against comments that could escalate tensions in the region. His remarks formed part of the Congress party's broader criticism of the government's handling of international diplomatic issues.

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The criticism came in the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran and recent comments attributed to President Trump. While Khera maintained that the Indian government should have publicly responded, there was no immediate reaction from the Prime Minister's Office or the Ministry of External Affairs regarding his allegations.

The Congress has frequently accused the BJP-led government of compromising India's strategic autonomy in its engagement with major global powers, while the ruling party has consistently defended its foreign policy, arguing that it is guided by national interest and strategic priorities. The BJP has maintained that India continues to pursue an independent diplomatic approach while strengthening ties with countries across the world.

Political exchanges over foreign policy have become increasingly common between the BJP and the opposition, particularly on issues involving major international conflicts and India's diplomatic positioning. Opposition parties have often called for stronger public statements from the government on global developments, whereas the Centre has generally preferred calibrated diplomatic responses through official channels.

Khera's remarks add to the ongoing political debate over the government's handling of international affairs, with the Congress seeking to portray the Centre as reluctant to criticise key global partners when required. As of Sunday, the government had not publicly responded to Khera's criticism or issued any statement specifically addressing the allegations raised by the Congress leader.

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