India’s Foreign Policy Has Collapsed: Rahul

On Friday, May 23, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted that India’s foreign policy has “collapsed,” demanding an explanation from External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar regarding the recent hyphenation of India with Pakistan. He questioned, “Why has India been hyphenated with Pakistan? Why didn’t a single country back us in condemning Pakistan? Who asked Trump to ‘mediate’ between India and Pakistan?”

This statement came as Gandhi shared a video clip of Jaishankar addressing questions about the Pahalgam terror attack and the ensuing tensions between the two South Asian nations during an interview with Dutch broadcaster NOS.

Gandhi’s remarks reflect a growing concern within the Congress party about the current government’s handling of foreign relations. He claimed, “India’s foreign policy has collapsed,” emphasizing the need for accountability from the government.

Just a day earlier, he had criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of compromising India’s prestige. “Modi ji, stop giving hollow speeches. Just tell: Why did you believe Pakistan’s statement on terrorism? Why did you sacrifice India’s interests by bowing to Trump? Why does your blood boil only in front of cameras? You have compromised with the prestige of India!” he stated in a post on X.

The Congress party has intensified its attacks on Jaishankar, referring to him as “Jaichand Jaishankar,” a term that draws from the epic poem ‘Prithviraj Raso.’ In this narrative, Jaichand, a Rajput ruler, is depicted as an ally of Muhammad Ghori against another Rajput ruler, Prithviraj Chauhan. AICC secretary Gaurav Pandhi remarked, “Every single day that Jaichand Jaishankar continues as the minister of external affairs, he remains not just a liability but a serious threat to India’s national interests. He should be removed from office without delay, and an independent inquiry must be instituted to investigate his failures.”

The Congress party has been vocal in questioning the government’s decision to halt Operation Sindoor, especially when the armed forces were reportedly making significant progress against terror camps in Pakistan. The ongoing war of words between the Congress and the BJP has escalated, with the ruling party labeling Rahul Gandhi as a “modern age Mir Jafar,” while the opposition has branded Jaishankar as “new age Jaichand.” Both parties have exchanged barbs over their statements regarding the Indo-Pak conflict, with each side accusing the other of betraying the nation.

The Congress party has also alleged that Jaishankar had forewarned Pakistan about Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives. Following India’s precision strikes on May 7, Pakistan attempted to retaliate by targeting Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. In response, Indian forces executed a fierce counter-attack on several Pakistani military installations.

On May 10, after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes, India and Pakistan reached an understanding to end the military confrontation. President Trump announced that both nations had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a lengthy night of talks “mediated” by Washington. This development has further fueled the debate over the effectiveness of India’s foreign policy and the role of its leaders in navigating complex international relations.

As tensions continue to simmer, the Congress party remains steadfast in its criticism of the government’s approach, calling for accountability and a reassessment of India’s foreign policy strategies. The ongoing discourse highlights the deepening divide between the ruling party and the opposition, as both sides seek to assert their narratives in the face of national security challenges.