Hours after the United States and Iran signed a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at ending the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Congress on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Centre’s foreign policy, alleging that the development reflects Pakistan’s growing global influence and undermines India’s diplomatic interests.
Reacting to the agreement signed by US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said the very naming of the document as the “Islamabad MoU” underscores Pakistan’s “newfound regional standing and global influence.”
In a post on X, Ramesh claimed that Pakistan, once diplomatically isolated following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has now become increasingly embedded in the geopolitical and security framework of West Asia. He described the development as a “severe setback” to both the substance and style of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy, warning that it could have significant implications for India.
While acknowledging that the agreement could potentially mark a major diplomatic breakthrough if implemented effectively, Ramesh cautioned that it might also turn into a “Memorandum of Misunderstanding” if either side fails to honour its commitments. He noted that the next 60 days would be crucial in determining the success of the deal.
Congress leader further argued that the MoU appears to have delivered significant gains for Iran, which he said demonstrated resilience during the conflict. He added that Gulf nations impacted by the hostilities are likely to reassess their regional alignments in response to the agreement.
Ramesh also described the development as a setback for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, claiming that he has become increasingly isolated on the global stage. He suggested that, despite this, the Israeli leadership could still attempt to derail the agreement.
Criticising the Centre’s foreign policy stance, Ramesh alleged that India’s close alignment with Israel is adversely affecting national interests. He further accused the Modi government of maintaining an “appeasement” approach towards the United States, particularly in its engagement with President Trump, which he termed detrimental to India.
Additionally, he argued that the agreement reflects the limitations of military power, stating that the objectives pursued by the United States and Israel during the conflict were not fully realised.
The Centre has not yet issued an official response to the Congress’s remarks.
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