Trump Is Comparing PM Modi With Pak’s Sharif: Congress

On May 14, the Congress party in India raised questions regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent claims of having brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. The party’s general secretary in charge of communications, Jairam Ramesh, pointedly asked what Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar had to say about Trump’s assertions. He questioned whether they had “mortgaged” India’s security interests under U.S. pressure.

Speaking in Saudi Arabia, Trump reiterated his administration’s role in “successfully brokering a historic ceasefire” aimed at halting the escalating violence between the two nations. Ramesh remarked, “A few days ago, we learnt of the ceasefire with Pakistan from the President of the United States. Now, at a public event in Saudi Arabia yesterday, the President reveals that he may have coerced and blackmailed India into this ceasefire using the carrot-and-stick of sanctions and trade deals.” He further challenged Modi and Jaishankar, asking, “What do the typically loquacious PM and EAM have to say about this revelation?”

In a more colloquial tone, Ramesh added, “Ameriki papa ne war rukwa di kya?” which translates to “Did the American father stop the war?” This statement underscores the Congress party’s concern over the implications of Trump’s comments on India’s sovereignty and security.

The Congress party also criticized Trump for “hyphenating” India and Pakistan, suggesting that he was equating the two nations. Pawan Khera, head of the Congress’ media and publicity department, shared a clip of Trump’s remarks, stating, “US president says it again: ‘I used trade to make a deal between them, and they agreed.’ Not only is Donald Trump hyphenating India with Pakistan, he is comparing Prime Minister Modi with Shehbaz Sharif.” Khera questioned whether such a comparison was acceptable to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

During his address at the Saudi-US investment forum in Riyadh, Trump expressed his desire to be a peacemaker, stating, “As I said in my inaugural address, my greatest hope is to be a peacemaker and to be a unifier. I don’t like war. We have the greatest military, by the way, in the history of the world.” He claimed, “Just days ago, my administration successfully brokered a historic ceasefire to stop the escalating violence between India and Pakistan.” Trump elaborated, “And I used trade to a large extent to do it. And I said, ‘Fellows, come on. Let’s make a deal. Let’s do some trading.'”

He emphasized the importance of peaceful negotiations, saying, “‘Let’s not trade nuclear missiles. Let’s trade the things that you make so beautifully. And they both have very powerful leaders, very strong leaders, good leaders, smart leaders. And it all stopped. Hopefully, it’ll remain that way, but it all stopped.” Trump’s comments were met with applause from the audience, which included notable figures like billionaire Elon Musk.

A day prior, Trump had claimed that his administration had prevented a “nuclear conflict” between India and Pakistan, suggesting that America would engage in “a lot of trade” with both nations if they ceased hostilities. However, Indian government sources clarified that the directors general of military operations (DGMOs) from both countries had reached an understanding to halt all military actions without any third-party involvement.

India has consistently maintained that the Kashmir issue is a bilateral matter, asserting that there is no room for external mediation. The Indian government emphasizes that the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India.