New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is preparing to lead a protest against the Modi government over US President Donald Trump’s remarks on mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Gandhi has sought permission from the Delhi Police to stage a demonstration at Vijay Chowk, though approval is yet to be granted, according to reports.
The protest stems from Trump’s claims that he played a major role in halting military tensions between India and Pakistan after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, allegedly using the threat of suspending trade to pressure both countries into a ceasefire agreement.
Congress criticises PM Modi
The Congress has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for failing to respond publicly to Trump’s claims. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh expressed concern over Modi’s silence, saying, “Just before his address to the nation, President Trump made significant claims. Has India accepted US mediation? Has India agreed to hold talks with Pakistan at a neutral location? Has India agreed to open markets to American demands in sectors like automobiles and agriculture?”
Trump had remarked, “We’re going to do a lot of trade with you. So let’s stop this. If you do it, we will trade. If you don’t, we won’t.” These comments have ignited a political storm in India.
Reacting to Trump’s renewed claims at an event in Saudi Arabia, the Congress party escalated its criticism. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera shared a clip of Trump’s speech, in which the former US President said, “I used trade to make a deal between them and they agreed.” Khera said Trump was not only equating India and Pakistan but also drawing a parallel between Modi and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “Is the PMO comfortable with such a comparison?” he asked.
Centre’s rejects Trump’s assertions
Praveen Chakravarty, Chairman of the Professionals Congress and head of Data Analytics, mocked the government, saying, “Who says Pakistan and India are equal powers? Modi’s ‘good friend’ Donald Trump.”
Meanwhile, the Centre on Tuesday rejected the US president’s claim that he had threatened to stop trade with India and Pakistan to get them to agree to a “ceasefire”. “From the time Op Sindoor started on May 7 till the understanding on cessation of military action on May 10, there were conversations between Indian and US leaders on the evolving military situation. The issue of trade did not come up in any of these discussions,” MEA said.
