Congress has once again raised questions over Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on US president Donald Trump’s frequent claims that he played a key role in stopping the war between India and Pakistan.Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, on Saturday, posted on X that in the 34 days between May 10 and June 13, 2025, Trump has publicly claimed 13 times, in three different countries, that he used trade deals to pressure India and Pakistan into a ceasefire. Ramesh wrote, “@narendramodi when will you speak up?”Ramesh also shared a list of Trump’s remarks in which Trump repeats his claim that he “stopped a war between India and Pakistan” using trade as leverage. He added that Trump continues to make these claims “for the nth time”, while Prime Minister Modi remains silent. Tensions between India and Pakistan had sharply escalated following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. India carried out precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan retaliated by attempting to attack Indian military installations on May 8, 9, and 10. Both sides agreed to halt military action after direct talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) on May 10. While Trump claims the US played a decisive role in ending the conflict, India has consistently maintained that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between the two militaries, without any foreign mediation. Earlier this week, Congress had also criticised the Modi government’s foreign policy, calling it a failure. Ramesh highlighted three recent developments as major diplomatic setbacks: US Army General Michael Kurilla calling Pakistan a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism, Pakistan’s army chief General Asim Munir’s reported visit to Washington for US Army Day celebrations, and recent remarks from a Trump administration spokesperson reiterating that Trump brought about engagement between India and Pakistan. Ramesh urged Prime Minister Modi to rise above “stubbornness” and convene an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session to discuss the growing diplomatic challenges India faces.
