Rahul Miffed As Prez Trump Repeats India-Pak Ceasefire Claim ‘25 Times’
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi speaks to the media outside Parliament on Wednesday, July 23
On July 23, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Indian government regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated claims of having facilitated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Gandhi expressed skepticism about the authenticity of Trump’s assertions, stating, “There is something fishy as the American leader has made the statement ’25 times.'” This highlights the growing concern among Indian political leaders about the implications of Trump’s claims on India’s sovereignty and diplomatic standing.
Gandhi, who serves as the leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, questioned Trump’s authority to mediate in such a sensitive matter, asking, “Who is Trump to get a ceasefire done?” He pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not responded to these claims even once, which he believes undermines India’s position on the global stage. “The Prime Minister has not given a reply even once. That is the truth; he cannot hide,” Gandhi asserted.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also weighed in on the issue, criticizing the government’s silence in the face of Trump’s assertions. He stated, “Trump keeps saying that he facilitated a ceasefire, but Narendra Modi is silent, not responding. Does Narendra Modi want to be subservient to Trump?” Kharge emphasized the importance of national integrity, saying, “The country is the most important, which is why we supported the government.” He argued that the Prime Minister should respond firmly to Trump’s claims, as failing to do so “shows weakness.”
When asked about whether the Prime Minister should address Trump’s claims, Rahul Gandhi responded, “How can the Prime Minister make a statement? What will he say—Trump got it done? He can’t say that. But that is the truth. Trump got the ceasefire done; the whole world knows. That is the reality.” This statement underscores Gandhi’s belief that the Prime Minister’s silence is not just a political misstep but a significant diplomatic failure.
Gandhi further elaborated on the broader implications of the situation, stating, “This is not just about ceasefire; there are big problems that we want to discuss. There are problems related to defense, defense industry, Operation Sindoor.” He lamented, “The situation is not good, and the whole world knows (this). Those who call themselves patriots have run away. The Prime Minister is not able to give one statement.” This comment reflects a growing frustration among opposition leaders regarding the government’s handling of national security and foreign policy.
The Congress leader reiterated Trump’s claims, saying, “Trump has said 25 times that ‘I got the ceasefire done.’ It is not his job. But the Prime Minister has not given a reply even once.” He emphasized the need for clarity from the government, questioning the contradictory statements regarding Operation Sindoor: “On the one hand, you (government) say Operation Sindoor is ongoing, and on the other hand, you say that victory has been achieved. Either victory has been achieved, or Operation Sindoor is ongoing.”
Gandhi’s remarks included a colloquial expression, “kuch na kuch toh daal mein kala hai na” (something is fishy), indicating his belief that there is more to the story than what is being presented. He criticized the government’s foreign policy, stating, “They (the government) have destroyed our foreign policy; no one supported us.” This statement reflects a sentiment among opposition leaders that the current administration has failed to maintain India’s diplomatic relationships effectively.
The Congress party issued a statement highlighting the irony of the situation: while Trump has reached the “quarter century mark” on his claims, Prime Minister Modi remains “totally quiet, finding time only to travel abroad and to destabilize democratic institutions at home.” This criticism points to a perceived lack of focus on pressing national issues while the Prime Minister engages in international travel.
Trump recently reiterated his claims, stating that he stopped a “war” between India and Pakistan and that five planes were shot down during the conflict. He remarked, “They shot down five planes, and it was back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. I called them and said, ‘Listen, no more trade. If you do this, you’re not going to be good. They’re both powerful nuclear nations, and that would have happened, and who knows where that would have ended up. And I stopped it.'” This statement raises questions about the accuracy of Trump’s narrative and its implications for U.S.-India relations.
In a recent dinner hosted for Republican senators, Trump claimed, “You had India, Pakistan, that was going in fact, planes were being shot out of the air, five, five, four or five. But I think five jets were shot down actually; that was getting worse and worse, wasn’t it? That was looking like it was going to go, these are two serious nuclear countries, and they were hitting each other.” His repeated assertions have led to skepticism among Indian leaders regarding the validity of his claims.
Since May 10, when Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington, he has reiterated his role in settling tensions between the two nations. However, India has consistently maintained that the understanding for cessation of hostilities was reached through direct talks between the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of both countries.
In a nearly 35-minute phone call with Trump last month, Modi firmly stated that India does not and will “never accept” mediation, clarifying that discussions on military actions were initiated at Islamabad’s request.
As the political discourse continues, the opposition’s criticism of the Modi government highlights the complexities of international relations and the importance of clear communication in matters of national security. The ongoing debate surrounding Trump’s claims and the Indian government’s response will likely shape the political landscape in the coming months, as leaders grapple with the implications of foreign intervention in domestic affairs.
