Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, today escalated his criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asserting that the Prime Minister's reluctance to directly refute US President Donald Trump's persistent claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan stems from "obvious reasons."
Speaking to reporters, the Congress scion emphasized that the Prime Minister's silence on the matter was "telling" and questioned his apparent unwillingness to name President Trump in Parliament. "It is obvious that Prime Minister has not said that Trump has not lied. Everyone knows what has happened, they are just not able to say, that is the problem. This is the truth: if Modi ji speaks, then he (Donald Trump) will say by opening up fully, then the whole truth will come out. That is why it is not being said," Rahul Gandhi stated, implying a deeper reason behind Modi's silence.
The former Congress president drew a direct link between Trump's repeated ceasefire claims and potential pressure related to upcoming US-India trade negotiations. "Why is he (Trump) saying all this? Because he wants a trade deal. So he will keep pressuring them. Just wait and see what kind of deal gets signed," Gandhi told reporters, suggesting that Trump's assertions are a tactic to gain leverage in trade discussions.
Gandhi's remarks followed a sharp critique earlier in the day from his own party, which accused Prime Minister Modi of being on a "very weak wicket" and having "much to cover up." The Congress party claimed that PM Modi has "refused to unequivocally deny" Trump's ceasefire claims, which, it alleged, have been made "30 times" since India and Pakistan agreed to a truce on May 10.
In a particularly scathing comment, Pawan Khera, head of the Congress's media and publicity department, used a strong metaphor to describe the perceived dynamic between the two leaders. "Trump is coiled around Modi like a snake. And yesterday, Rahul Gandhi handed him the perfect chance to wriggle out of the mess. Just say Trump was lying about the ceasefire," Khera remarked, highlighting the Congress's frustration with Modi's stance. The ongoing controversy originated from President Trump's assertion that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate" ceasefire following mediation by Washington. Trump initially made this claim on social media and has reiterated it multiple times since.
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However, India has consistently and firmly rejected any notion of foreign mediation in its bilateral relations with Pakistan. New Delhi has maintained that the ceasefire understanding between the two nations was reached through direct communication between their respective Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs).
During his address to Parliament on Tuesday, immediately after Rahul Gandhi's speech, Prime Minister Modi affirmed that "no world leader asked India to stop its military operations." Notably, the Prime Minister's statement did not specifically name Donald Trump. PM Modi's remark came shortly after Rahul Gandhi had directly challenged him in the Lok Sabha, daring him to name the US President. "If Modi ji has even 50 per cent of the courage that Indira Gandhi had, then he should say in Parliament – Donald Trump is lying," the Congress leader had declared, setting the stage for the renewed confrontation.
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