New Delhi, April 8 – The Congress on Wednesday criticized the government, stating that Pakistan's role in bringing about the ceasefire between the US and Iran is a "severe setback" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "highly personalized diplomacy" and that the "self-proclaimed world leader" has been thoroughly exposed.
The opposition party also said that Prime Minister Modi's "cowardice" is evident in his silence, not only on Israel's aggression, but also on the completely unacceptable and disgraceful language being used by his close friend in the White House.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said that the entire world will cautiously welcome the two-week ceasefire in the West Asia conflict between the US and Israel on one side and Iran on the other.
"This conflict began on February 28th with the targeted assassinations of the highest echelons of the regime in Iran. This occurred just two days after Prime Minister Modi completed his much-publicized visit to Israel, a visit that diminished India's global stature," Ramesh claimed.
Ramesh further stated that Prime Minister Modi has not commented on Israel's "genocide" in Gaza and its aggressive expansionist policies in the occupied West Bank.
"Pakistan's role in bringing about the ceasefire is a severe setback to both the substance and style of Mr. Modi's highly personalized diplomacy," he said.
Ramesh also claimed that the policy to isolate Pakistan for its support to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and to convince the world that it is a failed state has not been successful, unlike what Manmohan Singh accomplished after the Mumbai terror attacks.
"The fact that a bankrupt economy, completely dependent on external donors, and a country facing numerous challenges, was able to play such a role calls into question Modi's strategy of engagement and narrative management," he said.
"He (Modi) or his team has also never explained why Operation Sindoor was suddenly and abruptly halted on May 10th, 2025, the first announcement of which came from the US Secretary of State, and for which the US President has claimed credit almost a hundred times since then," the Congress leader said.
"There is a palpable sense of relief everywhere. The External Affairs Minister (S. Jaishankar) has dismissed Pakistan as a 'dalal'. But now, the self-proclaimed world leader has been thoroughly exposed, and his self-declared 56-inch chest has shrunk and shrivelled," Ramesh said.
"His cowardice is evident in his silence, not only on Israel's aggression, but also on the completely unacceptable and disgraceful language being used by his close friend in the White House," the Congress leader added.
Earlier in the day, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticized "Western powers" for using "despicable language" in the Iran conflict, stating that the world is understanding as the "veil of morality falls" from the face of the West.
The Congress general secretary asserted that hatred, anger, violence, and injustice never win, while courage always prevails.
"Iranian men and women formed human chains around their country's resources while Western powers spoke in a despicable language, heralding the 'end of a civilization'," Priyanka Gandhi said on X.
"The world is watching and understanding as the veil of morality falls from the face of the West. Hatred, anger, violence, and injustice never win. Courage always prevails," she said.
US President Donald Trump pulled back on his threats to launch devastating strikes on Iran late Tuesday, as the US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire that includes the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump de-escalated the war less than two hours before the deadline he set for Tehran to capitulate to a deal or face attacks on its bridges and power plants meant to destroy the Iranian civilization.
Trump made the dramatic announcement on Truth Social on Tuesday evening (US time) even as Democrats called for his removal over unhinged threats to wipe out the Iranian civilization.
"Based on conversations with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir of Pakistan, and wherein they requested that I hold off the destructive force being sent tonight to Iran, subject to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz," the US President said in a social media post.
Iran's Supreme National Security Council said it has accepted the ceasefire and that it would negotiate with the United States in Pakistan beginning Friday. Neither Iran nor the United States said when the ceasefire would begin, and attacks took place in Israel, Iran, and across the Gulf region early Wednesday.
Israel backed the US ceasefire with Iran but the deal doesn't cover fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early Wednesday.