Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Sunday renewed his criticism of the Indian government’s muted response to former US President Donald Trump’s recent comments on India-Pakistan relations. Ramesh questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's continued silence, particularly in light of Trump’s repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between the two neighbouring countries.
Ramesh said, “I made a count — President Trump has repeated the same point for the past 21 days. He has claimed to have mediated and brokered the ceasefire. The new element is his reference to the risk of nuclear escalation. He has also reiterated his threats regarding trade and tariffs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Vice President Vance, and even their Trade Secretary have echoed these remarks.”
Ramesh, who serves as the General Secretary In-Charge of Communications for the All India Congress Committee (AICC), criticised the Indian government for not addressing Trump's assertions. He alleged that instead of confronting Pakistan or responding diplomatically to Trump’s remarks, Prime Minister Modi was focused on targeting the Congress party.
“Our Prime Minister is silent. He has not responded to what President Trump has been saying. He is targeting the Congress party when he should be targeting Pakistan. He should be making sure that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam terror attack are caught and killed,” Ramesh said.
He reiterated that the Congress party has stood firmly with the government since the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people. “The Congress has demanded, advocated, and championed unity and solidarity at this moment of great crisis. Since April 22, we have extended our full support to the government,” he added.
Drawing comparisons between past and present governments, Ramesh invoked the democratic conduct of the Jawaharlal Nehru era. “When the Chinese attacked in 1962, Atal Bihari Vajpayee had urged Nehru to convene Parliament. Nehru did so. That was a democratic tradition — when the Leader of Opposition calls for a Parliament session, the Prime Minister listens and responds.”
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Ramesh reiterated the Congress party’s call for an all-party meeting chaired by the Prime Minister and a special session of Parliament to discuss the ongoing national security crisis. He said that the recent revelations by Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan in Singapore make this demand even more urgent and relevant.
“All we have asked for is an all-party meeting led by the Prime Minister and a Parliament session to discuss the situation. Gen Chauhan’s disclosures yesterday in Singapore underscore the importance of our demand. The session should culminate in a resolution that reaffirms the resolution of February 22, 1994, regarding Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and introduces new elements in the light of current developments,” he stated.
General Anil Chauhan, speaking to national media during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, acknowledged that the Indian Armed Forces had suffered losses in the early stages of the retaliatory operations against Pakistan, but noted that these setbacks were swiftly addressed. “On May 7, in the initial stages, there were losses. But more important than the numbers is understanding why the losses occurred and what was done next. We rectified the tactics and returned with force on May 7, 8, and 10, striking deep into Pakistan with impunity and facing only scattered resistance,” Chauhan said.
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Earlier, on May 11, Air Marshal Bharti, Director General of Air Operations, had commented on aircraft losses, saying, “I can't comment about loss of aircraft as we are in a combat scenario, and losses are part of combat.”
General Chauhan also dismissed Pakistan’s claim that India halted aerial operations after May 7. He stated that India's strikes became more sustained and powerful in the days that followed. On May 10, Indian fighter jets, drones, and missiles hit 11 Pakistani airbases, including the Nur Khan airbase near Islamabad. The strikes were so intense that locals near the capital reportedly witnessed a surreal 'new dawn' — a phrase echoed by Prime Minister Modi in his speech at Adampur airbase after the end of hostilities.
Satellite images, from both Indian agencies and international platforms, later confirmed the accuracy and impact of the Indian strikes. Following these operations on terror infrastructure inside Pakistan, the Pakistani military retaliated by targeting Indian defence and civilian installations. In response, India launched another wave of precision strikes that resulted in the destruction of multiple Pakistani airbases.
The hostilities between the two sides concluded with a mutual understanding reached on May 10, effectively ending the exchange of attacks.
Also Read: Congress questions Modi’s silence on Trump’s Indo-Pak truce claim
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