The recent phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump has stirred a political storm in India, highlighting the contrasting narratives surrounding a ceasefire with Pakistan and raising questions about the nature of India-US relations.
According to reports, the conversation, which lasted approximately 35 minutes, took place at Trump's request after he had to leave the G7 summit early, preventing a planned meeting with Modi. During the call, Modi briefed Trump on Operation Sindoor, India's response to alleged terror sites in Pakistan, following the Pahalgam attack. Modi conveyed that India's actions were "measured, precise, and non-escalatory," emphasizing the country's resolve to act against terrorism.
A key point of contention arising from the call is Trump's repeated claim of having mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Modi, however, clarified that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between the two militaries and at Pakistan's request, firmly stating that India has not accepted and will never accept third-party mediation in such matters, with a national political consensus on this issue. Modi also addressed Trump's previous suggestions of using trade as leverage to achieve the ceasefire, asserting that no such discussions occurred.
The Indian National Congress has seized upon the Modi-Trump call to criticize the Prime Minister's handling of foreign policy. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh claimed that India has suffered a "triple jhatka" (triple jolt) due to recent events, including the invitation extended to Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir for a private lunch with Trump. Ramesh argued that this invitation, given Munir's alleged connection to the Pahalgam attacks, was a diplomatic setback for India and questioned Modi's silence on the matter. The Congress has also demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss the details of the conversation between Modi and Trump.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has hit back, accusing the Congress of spreading misinformation and engaging in "Bharat virodh" (anti-India) politics. BJP leaders have pointed out discrepancies in the readouts of the conversation, accusing the Congress of using outdated information to create controversy. They maintain that Modi clearly conveyed India's stance on mediation to Trump, underscoring the country's self-reliance in resolving disputes with Pakistan.
Despite the political sparring, certain aspects of the Modi-Trump call appear to be mutually agreed upon. Trump acknowledged India's concerns regarding terrorism and expressed support for India's fight against it. Modi, for his part, extended an invitation to Trump to visit India for the Quad Summit, signaling the importance of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The incident underscores the complexities of international relations and the potential for differing perceptions and interpretations. While Modi sought to clarify India's position on key issues, Trump continued to present his own version of events, highlighting the challenges of navigating diplomatic narratives. The political fallout in India further demonstrates how foreign policy can become a battleground for domestic political interests, with the Modi-Trump call serving as the latest flashpoint between the ruling and opposition parties.
