Congress Criticizes Modi Over Trump's Trade Ceasefire Claims
Congress Raises Concerns Over Modi's Silence
On Monday, the Congress party expressed its discontent with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to address remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding trade threats aimed at influencing India and Pakistan to agree to a ceasefire.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized Modi's delayed national address, stating it was overshadowed by Trump's comments made shortly before. Ramesh pointed out the Prime Minister's silence on these significant issues.
He raised questions about whether India had consented to U.S. mediation or discussions with Pakistan at a neutral location, and if the country was ready to comply with U.S. demands for increased access to Indian markets in sectors like automobiles and agriculture.
The PM's much-delayed address to the nation was completely upstaged by President Trump's revelations a few minutes earlier. The PM was completely silent on them. Has India agreed to US mediation? Has India agreed to a 'neutral site' for a dialogue with Pakistan? Will India now…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 12, 2025
Earlier that day, Trump reiterated his assertion that his administration facilitated a 'full and immediate ceasefire' between India and Pakistan.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera expressed his concern after hearing both Modi's and Trump's statements, labeling them as 'deeply disturbing'.
Khera remarked, 'The U.S. president claims he used trade as leverage to halt Operation Sindoor. We anticipated a response from the PM, but he remained silent.'
The reaction of Indian National Congress to the Prime Minister’s statement.
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 12, 2025
pic.twitter.com/9thLmGePGd
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor refrained from directly questioning Modi but described Trump's post as 'disappointing for India'.
Tharoor argued that Trump's comments suggest a false equivalence between the aggressor and the victim, neglecting the U.S.'s historical stance against Pakistan's connections to cross-border terrorism.
He contended that providing Pakistan with a platform for negotiations was unwarranted and emphasized that India would not engage in discussions under duress. He also noted that this situation 'internationalizes' the Kashmir issue, which India views as an internal matter.
Mr Trump’s post is disappointing for India in four important ways: First, it implies a false equivalence between the victim and the perpetrator, and seemingly overlooks the US’ own past unwavering stance against Pakistan’s well-documented links to cross-border terrorism. Second,… https://t.co/Za5cvwq82M
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 12, 2025
On Saturday, India and Pakistan reached an agreement to cease all hostilities following four days of heightened military tensions.
India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Pakistani military operations director had contacted his Indian counterpart to propose an end to the skirmishes.
Prime Minister Modi reaffirmed this stance in his address to the nation on Monday, asserting that 'nuclear blackmail' from Pakistan would not be tolerated and that Operation Sindoor was now India's strategy against cross-border terrorism.
Modi reiterated that 'terror and talks' cannot coexist, stating, 'Terror and trade cannot happen simultaneously, and water and blood cannot flow simultaneously,' in reference to India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty on April 23.
The announcement from the Indian foreign secretary came shortly after Trump claimed on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a ceasefire, asserting that the discussions were mediated by the U.S.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also claimed on social media that New Delhi and Islamabad had agreed to 'start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site.'