The Opposition, including the Congress, criticized the BJP-led central government on Wednesday, hours after Pakistan announced it would host talks between the US and Iran, following a two-week ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
The Congress described Pakistan’s role as a “serious setback” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “highly personal diplomacy” and said the “self-proclaimed Vishwaguru is completely exposed.” Follow live updates related to the US-Iran war and the ceasefire here.
Congress targets BJP over Pakistan’s role in US-Iran ceasefire
The grand old party said Prime Minister Modi’s cowardice “is evident in his silence not only on Israel’s aggression but also on the absolutely unacceptable and disgraceful language used by his dear friend in the White House.”
Congress Secretary General in charge of Communications Jairam Ramesh said that people around the world will carefully respond to the two-week ceasefire in the conflict in West Asia between the United States and Israel on one side and Iran on the other side.
“The conflict began on February 28 with assassinations targeting the highest levels of the regime in Iran. These began just two days after Prime Minister Modi concluded his much-welcomed visit to Israel, a visit that diminished India’s standing and global standing,” Ramesh claimed.
Ramesh said that the Prime Minister did not talk about the “genocide” committed by Israel in Gaza or its expansionist actions in the occupied West Bank.
He added, “The role played by Pakistan in reaching a ceasefire represents a serious setback to the content and style of Mr. Modi’s very personal diplomacy.”
He said that efforts to isolate Pakistan over its continued support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and present it globally as a failed state, have not succeeded. He compared this to what former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did “after the Mumbai terrorist attacks.”
Ramesh said that the country facing economic hardship and relying on external support is still capable of playing such a role.
“Neither he (Modi) nor his team ever explained why Operation Sindoor was suddenly and abruptly halted on May 10, 2025 – the first announcement of which came from the US Secretary of State and for which the US President has claimed credit nearly a hundred times since then,” the Congress leader said.
“There is a palpable sigh of relief all around. External Affairs Minister (S Jaishankar) had described Pakistan as cosseting. But now the self-proclaimed Vishwaguru stands completely exposed, his 56-inch chest shrunk and withered,” Ramesh said.
He added, “His cowardice is demonstrated by his silence not only on Israel’s aggression, but also on the completely unacceptable and disgraceful language used by his dear friend in the White House.”
The BJP is yet to respond to Congress’ accusations.
The United States and Iran reach a ceasefire in Iran
Iran, the United States and Israel said they had agreed to a two-week ceasefire in the war. Tehran also said it would begin talks with the United States in Islamabad starting Friday.
Trump said he agreed to “suspend the bombing and attack on Iran for two weeks” as long as Iran agreed to the “full, immediate, and secure opening of the Strait of Hormuz.”
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a statement that “for two weeks, safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz will be possible through coordination with the Iranian Armed Forces,” and that if attacks against Iran stop, “our powerful armed forces will stop their defensive operations.”
The agreement gives both sides time to try to reach a longer-term agreement to end the six-week conflict that has killed thousands and sparked a global energy crisis.
With input from agencies
