On Tuesday, Rahul Gandhi took a sharp and sarcastic jab at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “surrendering” during last month’s intense military conflict with Pakistan, known as Operation Sindoor—a 100-hour period marked by missile launches and air strikes. Gandhi claimed that this “surrender” happened under the directive of United States President Donald Trump.
The BJP responded swiftly and strongly. Party spokesperson Tuhin Sinha said that Gandhi’s remarks were misleading and went as far as to accuse him of representing Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Sinha said, “He is misleading the people and shows where his loyalties lie.”
Rahul Gandhi had made the comments earlier at a public event in Bhopal. He said, “A call came from Donald Trump, and Narendraji immediately surrendered… History is witness to this. This is the true character of the BJP and the RSS,” referring to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the ruling party.
He mocked the Prime Minister, adding, “Narendraji followed Trump’s order saying ‘Narender, surrender’ and replied ‘yes, sir’.”
Gandhi then drew a historical contrast by referring to the 1971 India-Pakistan war, fought under a Congress-led government, which led to the creation of Bangladesh. “India broke Pakistan in 1971 despite threats from America. The lions and lionesses of Congress fight against superpowers and never bow down,” he stated. He further criticised the BJP and RSS, saying, “I am well aware of their nature. Apply a little pressure, and they run away in fear.”
Trump’s claims of mediating ceasefire disputed by India
The remarks come amid ongoing controversy over US President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that his administration played a key role in brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May.
Trump has asserted multiple times that he “sure as hell” helped negotiate the cessation of hostilities, including in a US court. However, India has firmly denied that the US exerted any influence on the ceasefire.
Recap of the may conflict and ceasefire
In May, India launched Operation Sindoor, a series of missile strikes and air operations targeting terrorist camps and bases in Pakistan in retaliation for attacks on Indian soil. India clearly warned Pakistan against retaliatory actions, emphasizing that only terrorist infrastructure would be targeted.
Despite this warning, Pakistan responded by firing armed drones and missiles at military and civilian centers in western India. India’s air defense successfully intercepted and neutralized the threats.
Following this, both sides exchanged missile strikes and air attacks over a span of four days. On May 10, President Trump claimed he had brokered a ceasefire between the two countries.
Hours later, India officially confirmed that hostilities had ended but clarified that Pakistan had initiated the move to end fighting. New Delhi also emphasized that there had been no diplomatic pressure or negotiations involving the US, including any linked to ongoing trade talks.
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