New Delhi, February 28 The Congress on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that US President Donald Trump's "unwavering" support for Pakistan in its conflict with Afghanistan is another setback for "Indian diplomacy" and that the world, particularly the US, has recognized the "self-proclaimed world leader" for what he is.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications, Jairam Ramesh, pointed out that Trump has once again gone out of his way to praise the man whose inflammatory remarks provided the backdrop to the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which were orchestrated by Pakistan, an apparent reference to Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir.
"President Trump's unwavering and categorical support for Pakistan in its conflict with Afghanistan is another setback for Indian 'diplomacy'," Ramesh said on X.
"Our economic diplomacy with the US has failed miserably, as evidenced by Prime Minister Modi suddenly surrendering to a clearly one-sided trade deal in which India has made firm commitments, especially to import from American farmers, while the US has made vague commitments to allow for greater exports from India," he said.
Not only that, days after the agreement, the US imposed a 125.87 per cent import duty on solar modules from India, Ramesh pointed out.
"Our strategic diplomacy has been repeatedly undermined by President Trump, who repeatedly aligns himself with the Pakistani establishment and reverts to the hyphenation of India and Pakistan," he said.
"The prime minister may, through his means, manage to gain recognition. But the fact is that the self-proclaimed world leader has been exposed, and the world, particularly the US, has recognized him," Ramesh said.
His remarks come after Trump, amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, said he gets along very well with Pakistan and that the country is doing very well.
Responding to a question on whether he would intervene to stop the fighting, Trump said, "I would, but I get along very well with Pakistan, very, very well. You have a great prime minister, you have a great general there. You have a great leader, two of the people that I really respect a lot, and I think that Pakistan is doing very well."
