Trump Says Tariffs Ended India-Pakistan Clash; Congress Asks Why PM Modi is Silent

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday after US President Donald Trump reiterated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, sarcastically asking what "Howdy Modi" had to say about the matter—a nod to the 2019 Houston event that symbolised their bonhomie. Ramesh, tracking Trump's statements meticulously, announced that the US leader had now repeated his assertions 59 times, dubbing it the "TrumpTracker" in a scathing post on X that highlighted three key claims: Trump halting "Operation Sindoor" within 24 hours using tariffs, India largely ceasing Russian oil imports, and ongoing conversations with Modi about a potential visit next year.

Trump, addressing reporters in the Oval Office during an event on drug prices, boasted of ending "eight wars" through tariffs, specifically citing the India-Pakistan standoff where "eight planes were shot down." He claimed, "If you guys are going to fight, I’m going to put tariffs on you. Within 24 hours, I settled the war, positioning tariffs as a tool of "great national defence". The president praised Modi as a "great man" who wants him to visit India soon, while noting positive progress in bilateral trade talks.

Ramesh's mockery underscores the opposition's embarrassment over Trump's persistent narrative, which began on May 10 when he first announced a US-brokered "full and immediate ceasefire". Since then, Trump has amplified the story across rallies and interviews, often tying it to his tariff threats. The Congress has used these repetitions to question Modi's silence and portray the claims as a slight to India's sovereignty, especially after the prime minister's public embrace of Trump during the "Howdy Modi" spectacle attended by over 50,000 people.

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India has consistently rejected any third-party mediation on Pakistan-related issues, insisting all matters are bilateral. The Ministry of External Affairs has dismissed Trump's assertions multiple times, with officials emphasising no external role in de-escalations. Yet, Trump's latest remarks—amid his administration's push for trade deals—have reignited domestic political sparring, with the opposition accusing the government of compromising national pride for personal diplomacy.

As Trump eyes a potential India trip and touts his peacemaking credentials, the episode highlights strained optics in Indo-US ties post-elections, with Congress leveraging it to corner Modi ahead of domestic polls. The "TrumpTracker" at 59 and counting signals the controversy is far from over, keeping the spotlight on how New Delhi navigates its "all-weather" partnerships.

Also Read: Trump Claims 200% Tariffs Stopped War Between India and Pakistan