Congress questions India’s global standing amid US-Iran talks
Jairam Ramesh criticises Modi government’s foreign policy, raises concern over Pakistan’s role and India’s diplomatic approach
Taking a sharp swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress on Saturday said India’s global standing has weakened at a crucial moment, as high-stakes US-Iran talks get underway in Islamabad. Party general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that while the world—including India—hopes the meeting will pave the way for lasting peace, it also raises uncomfortable questions about the “substance and style” of Modi’s much-touted “global guru” image and his trademark “hug diplomacy.”
In a post on X, Ramesh pointed to Pakistan’s role in hosting the talks and asked how the country had managed to carve out such a position despite its alleged involvement in the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and India’s diplomatic efforts to isolate it. He said the contrast was stark, noting that the government led by Manmohan Singh had effectively isolated Pakistan after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
The Rajya Sabha MP also questioned India’s engagement with the United States, referring to high-profile outreach initiatives such as “Namaste Trump” and “Howdy Modi.” He asked how, despite these efforts and the return of a Donald Trump administration, India had allowed Washington to assign Pakistan a significant diplomatic role. Ramesh further alleged that New Delhi agreed to a “clearly one-sided trade deal, giving far more than it received,” while failing to secure concrete gains in its ties with the US.
He also criticised India for “not taking any initiative on peace or mediation,” particularly when countries like Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are part of BRICS+.
Ramesh took aim at India’s China policy as well, describing it as one of “balanced capitulation” over the past eighteen months, especially in light of China’s continued support to Pakistan and its role in Pakistan’s response to Operation Sindoor.
Emphasising the urgency of restoring peace in West Asia, Ramesh said stability must return at the earliest. He also called for the Strait of Hormuz to revert to its earlier status prior to the escalation following US-Israel actions against Iran on February 28, which he noted came shortly after Modi’s visit to Israel.
