The political arena is ablaze following a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump, with the BJP and Congress trading sharp accusations. The core of the dispute revolves around Trump's repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and the details shared during the call regarding Operation Sindoor, India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Congress party has launched a scathing critique, labeling the situation a "triple jhatka" to Indian foreign policy. This "triple jolt," as described by Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, encompasses several points of contention. Firstly, Ramesh highlighted the planned lunch meeting between President Trump and Pakistan's Army Chief, Asim Munir, whose remarks have been linked to the Pahalgam terror attacks. The Congress views this invitation as a setback for Indian diplomacy and questions the Prime Minister's silence on the matter for over a month. They are demanding an all-party meeting to address the discrepancies between Indian and US accounts of discussions during the G7 Summit and the Modi-Trump call. Ramesh specifically pointed out that Trump has repeatedly claimed to have brokered peace between India and Pakistan, even suggesting trade was used as leverage. He also noted differences between the statements released by India and the US following the call, suggesting they are tailored for different audiences.
The BJP has retaliated with equal force, accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation and undermining India's foreign policy. The BJP's IT cell head, Amit Malviya, referred to Jairam Ramesh as a "congenital liar," a term that has ignited further controversy. Malviya asserted that Ramesh was citing an outdated US readout from January 2025 and that no new official US statement exists regarding the recent call. He emphasized that Prime Minister Modi clearly conveyed to President Trump that India neither needs nor accepts third-party mediation. Furthermore, the BJP maintains that the de-escalation with Pakistan occurred through direct talks between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries, at Pakistan's request.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla joined the offensive, branding the Congress as the "biggest supplier, spreader, and cultivator" of fake news. He argued that the Congress is deliberately attempting to derail the national narrative and tarnish India's image on the global stage.
The BJP insists that Prime Minister Modi clarified to President Trump that there were no discussions about a trade deal or US mediation during Operation Sindoor. They highlight that India's response to the Pahalgam terror attack was measured and targeted solely at terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The exchange underscores the deep political divisions in India regarding foreign policy and national security. While the BJP aims to project an image of strength and decisiveness, the Congress is questioning the government's handling of diplomatic relations and raising concerns about potential misrepresentations of India's position.
