The Congress party took a sharp dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, questioning his description of India and the US as “natural partners” in light of US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire. Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh sarcastically asked whether the partnership was so “natural” that Trump has boasted “over 35 times” about using trade leverage to secure a ceasefire on May 10, a claim that has raised eyebrows in India.

The jab follows Modi’s warm response to Trump’s recent post on Truth Social, where the US president expressed optimism about ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations. Trump, signaling a thaw in strained bilateral ties, wrote, “I look forward to speaking with my very good friend, Prime Minister Modi, in the coming weeks. I feel certain that there will be no difficulty in coming to a successful conclusion for both of our Great Countries!” Modi reciprocated, emphasizing the “limitless potential” of the India-US partnership and expressing eagerness to conclude trade talks swiftly.

However, Congress seized the opportunity to highlight Trump’s unverified claims, with Ramesh questioning the credibility of the US president’s assertions about influencing India-Pakistan relations. The remarks come amid a backdrop of rocky India-US relations, strained by Trump’s imposition of 50% tariffs on Indian goods, including a 25% additional duty tied to India’s purchase of Russian crude oil, which India has labeled “unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable.”

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Despite the tensions, Trump recently described India-US ties as a “special relationship,” downplaying occasional friction. Speaking in the Oval Office last week, he called Modi a “great Prime Minister” while noting moments of disagreement. Modi, in response, reiterated the strength of the Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership between the two nations, expressing confidence in a “brighter, more prosperous future” for both countries.

The Congress’s critique underscores the political sensitivity surrounding India’s foreign policy and trade relations, especially as the opposition seeks to challenge the BJP government’s narrative of robust international alliances. As Modi and Trump prepare for further discussions, the spotlight remains on whether the trade talks will yield concrete outcomes or fuel further political sparring at home.

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