The Congress party in India has fired a scathing remark at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, questioning his diplomatic prowess in light of recent developments. But here's where it gets controversial: the catalyst for this criticism is none other than the US National Security Strategy, which has taken a softer stance on Pakistan compared to its predecessor.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh pointed out the stark contrast between the 2017 and 2025 strategies. The former had explicitly accused Pakistan of supporting militants and demanded stronger counterterrorism measures. However, the new strategy, as Ramesh noted, makes no such accusations. Instead, it highlights US President Donald Trump's self-proclaimed success in settling tensions between India and Pakistan, a claim that has been repeated multiple times in the document.
Ramesh, in a playful jibe at Modi, quoted a famous Bollywood line, "Kya se kya ho gaya..." (What has become of you...), insinuating that Modi's diplomatic efforts have been in vain.
The National Security Strategy, released on Thursday, emphasizes the importance of India's cooperation in addressing security concerns in the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region. It also mentions Trump's alleged resolution of eight global conflicts, including a ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May. Trump has consistently taken credit for this achievement, stating that he secured the ceasefire after intense overnight negotiations mediated by the US. However, India has firmly denied any third-party involvement.
This isn't the first time Congress has taken aim at Modi over Trump's claims. They've mocked the Modi government's 'huglomacy' with Trump, suggesting that the relationship has cooled off significantly. And this is the part most people miss: the timing of these claims coincides with India's Operation Sindoor, a military operation against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which was launched in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians.
The controversy lies in the question: has the US truly softened its stance on Pakistan, and if so, what does this mean for India's regional security efforts? The Congress party's criticism raises important questions about the effectiveness of Modi's foreign policy and the implications of the US's changing strategy. What do you think? Is this a fair critique, or is there more to the story?
