NEW DELHI:
The Congress party on Wednesday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi provide a clear explanation in Parliament regarding recent remarks by United States President Donald Trump, who has claimed credit for bringing about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan.
With the Monsoon session of Parliament set to begin on 21 July, the opposition party has increased pressure on the government, asserting that the Prime Minister cannot remain silent on the matter.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh, in a social media post, referenced Trump’s repeated claims and challenged the Prime Minister to respond. “Today the score stands at 66 days, 23 reiterations,” Ramesh wrote, referring to the number of days and instances Trump has made public statements about his role in India-Pakistan diplomacy.
“Parliament will resume from July 21st. The score will no doubt change before then. But the PM has to answer clearly in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The nation wants to know,” he added, tagging a media post quoting President Trump’s latest remarks on India.
President Trump, in a recent statement while discussing ongoing trade negotiations with India, reiterated his earlier claims of brokering a ceasefire between the two South Asian nuclear-armed nations. While the White House has not provided detailed documentation of any formal mediation, Trump has on several occasions since 2020 asserted that he played a role in easing tensions following escalations along the Line of Control (LoC).
The Indian government has consistently maintained that all issues with Pakistan, including the status of Jammu and Kashmir and border related disputes, are bilateral and do not involve third party intervention. The Ministry of External Affairs had previously dismissed Trump’s earlier claims of being invited by India to mediate the Kashmir issue, clarifying that no such request had been made.
However, Trump’s renewed assertion has reignited political debate in India. Congress leaders argue that the Prime Minister must use the floor of Parliament to clarify whether any back channel agreements or third party discussions involving the United States have occurred.
“This is a matter of national interest and sovereignty. If the President of another country is repeatedly claiming credit for a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, our Prime Minister must break his silence,” a senior Congress leader said on condition of anonymity.
The demand comes at a politically sensitive time, as the Monsoon session is expected to feature intense debates on national security, foreign policy, and defence preparedness.
The BJP has so far not responded formally to the latest remarks or Congress’s demand. However, party insiders suggest the government may reiterate its official stance on bilateral dialogue during external affairs related discussions in the session.
As the political temperature rises ahead of the session, all eyes will be on whether Prime Minister Modi chooses to address the controversy directly in Parliament or leave the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs.
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