The Congress on Friday sharpened its attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi after U.S. President Donald Trump once again claimed that he intervened to stop a conflict between India and Pakistan last year, accusing the Prime Minister of maintaining “complete silence” despite the assertion being repeated multiple times.
The opposition party said Trump’s remarks reiterated publicly on Thursday raise serious questions about India’s diplomatic position, particularly as New Delhi has consistently denied any third-party mediation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s “good friend in Washington DC” was “fast approaching a century” in terms of the number of times he has claimed credit for halting what Trump has described as Operation Sindoor.
“And yet the Prime Minister continues to maintain total silence,” Ramesh said in a post on X, drawing a parallel with what he described as Modi’s silence following his June 19, 2020 remarks on China after the Galwan Valley clash.
Trump Repeats Claim at National Prayer Breakfast
The political row followed Trump’s remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, where he listed what he claimed were conflicts he had personally helped resolve.
“In one year, I’ve ended eight raging wars,” Trump said, naming conflicts including Cambodia–Thailand, Kosovo–Serbia, Pakistan–India, Israel–Iran, and Armenia–Azerbaijan.
Later in the day, Trump reiterated the claim in a post on Truth Social, asserting that he had prevented nuclear conflicts from breaking out between India and Pakistan, Iran and Israel, and Russia and Ukraine.
“I have stopped Nuclear Wars from breaking out across the World,” Trump wrote, while also highlighting the rebuilding of U.S. military capabilities during his presidency.
India has repeatedly rejected Trump’s assertions since May 10 last year, when he first announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate” ceasefire after what he described as U.S.-mediated talks. The Indian government has maintained that all discussions with Pakistan are strictly bilateral and that no third party played any role.
Congress Criticises Modi’s Rajya Sabha Speech
The Congress also used the opportunity to criticise Prime Minister Modi’s address in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, where he replied to the Motion of Thanks on the President’s Address.
Ramesh said Modi failed to address substantive issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge and instead resorted to political rhetoric.
“To say that his 97-minute speech was pathetic would be an understatement,” Ramesh said. “He is a prisoner of his own pet hates and answered none of the serious questions raised by the LOP.”
In a strongly worded statement, Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of being driven by insecurity and prejudice.
“He revealed once again what a bundle of insecurities, what a perennial peddler of lies, and what a source of sheer bile and poison he is,” Ramesh said, adding that Modi’s repeated self-praise only highlighted what the Congress views as a failure to engage meaningfully with criticism.
Silence on Foreign Policy Questions
The Congress argued that Trump’s repeated claims now made on multiple international platforms require a clear and firm response from New Delhi, especially given the sensitivity of India–Pakistan relations and India’s long-standing opposition to external mediation.
Ramesh said the Prime Minister’s silence mirrors earlier instances where, according to the party, the government avoided direct answers on matters of national security and foreign policy.
The BJP has not issued an immediate response to the Congress’s latest remarks. Government sources have previously reiterated that India’s position on Pakistan has not changed and that all issues are addressed bilaterally without outside involvement.
With Trump continuing to repeat the claim and the Opposition escalating pressure, the controversy is likely to remain a flashpoint in Parliament and political discourse in the days ahead.
