Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi Government of Failing to Counter Trump’s Claims on India-Pakistan Peace Deal
The Indian government is facing mounting pressure to address former US President Donald Trump’s repeated assertions that he brokered a peace deal between India and Pakistan, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi escalating his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the matter. Gandhi alleges the Prime Minister is unable to refute Trump’s claims for fear of revealing the full truth.
Gandhi, speaking to reporters outside Parliament on Wednesday, asserted that Modi’s reluctance to challenge Trump stems from a potential disclosure of undisclosed details. “Because the truth is, if the PM says something, then he [Donald Trump] will have to speak openly and reveal the entire truth – that is why he [PM Modi] is unable to speak,” Gandhi stated. He further suggested Trump’s motives are tied to securing a favorable trade deal with India, predicting pressure will mount on Modi during trade negotiations.
The Congress leader’s remarks followed a recent debate in the Lok Sabha regarding “Operation Sindoor,” during which he accused the Modi-led government of leveraging the military operation to bolster the Prime Minister’s public image. He challenged Modi to publicly denounce Trump’s claims as false within Parliament. “If Narendra Modi has even 50 per cent of the courage of Indira Gandhi, he should declare in the House that Trump is lying about the ceasefire,” Gandhi declared.
These accusations prompted a response from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who, addressing the Rajya Sabha, firmly refuted Trump’s claims. Jaishankar stated that no direct communication occurred between Trump and Modi regarding the India-Pakistan conflict during the relevant period. “I want to tell him — he should listen carefully. From April 22 to June 16, not a single phone call took place between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi,” Jaishankar affirmed.
Trump, however, has continued to reiterate his version of events, most recently while discussing a potential trade agreement with India. He stated, “Yeah, I think so. India is my friend. They ended the war with Pakistan at my request. The deal with India is not finalised.” He also acknowledged India’s high tariffs, adding, “India has been a good friend, but India has charged basically more tariffs than almost any other country.”
The conflicting narratives raise questions about the true extent of US involvement in easing tensions between India and Pakistan and the potential implications for ongoing trade negotiations. The situation underscores the delicate balance of international diplomacy and the challenges of navigating public statements from key global leaders.
