Congress accuses Modi of Trump appeasement, says Pakistan role in US-Iran signing a setback for India

New Delhi: The Congress Thursday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with party general secretary Jairam Ramesh accusing him of pursuing a policy of “appeasement” towards US President Donald Trump and describing it as “shameful” and “anti-national”.

He also argued that Pakistan’s role in facilitating the latest Iran-related agreement has been a diplomatic setback for India.

The Congress leader’s remarks follow Pakistan’s announcement that the United States and Iran have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end tensions in the Gulf region. It also comes after Modi and Trump held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, during which Trump praised the Indian leader and described India-US ties as stronger than ever.

Ramesh also stated that Pakistan projecting itself as a facilitator of the agreement between Washington and Tehran had elevated its geopolitical standing, contrasting the development with the “international isolation” Islamabad faced after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks under the Congress government.

“The truth is that it is being called the Islamabad MOU, which reflects Pakistan’s new regional status and global influence. This is the same Pakistan that Dr Manmohan Singh isolated on the global stage after the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.”

“It is a serious blow to both the substance and style of Prime Minister Modi’s foreign policy. Pakistan has now become more deeply embedded in the geopolitical and security architecture of West Asia, which carries serious and significant implications for India,” he further wrote.

He also termed the agreement a “definitive defeat” for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and accused Modi of remaining firmly aligned with Israel despite growing criticism of its actions internationally.

“Only PM Modi remains steadfast in support of PM Netanyahu’s actions in the region—including in Lebanon, Gaza and the occupied West Bank. This blind devotion of PM Modi to Israel is costing our country dearly,” Ramesh added on X.

Describing the agreement as a setback for both the United States and Israel, he further argued that the military campaign launched against Iran earlier this year had failed to achieve its stated objectives.

“This MOU is a serious setback for the United States, which, in alliance with Israel, launched a war against Iran on February 28, 2026, targeting major objectives that were not achieved at all. The limitations of military power have once again been exposed,” he said.

The Congress leader also said that Iran had emerged from the conflict with unexpected strategic gains despite sustained military pressure.

“The MOU offers Iran some highly significant and unexpected gains. Iran has demonstrated its resilience and fighting spirit. The GCC countries, which have borne the full brunt of Iran’s counterattacks, have cautiously welcomed the MOU, but they will undoubtedly reconsider their relations with other countries,” he said.

In a statement on the meeting between Modi and Trump, the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders discussed developments in West Asia, with Modi commending Trump’s efforts to end the conflict and restore regional stability.

They also reviewed progress on various fronts and directed officials to expedite negotiations on an interim bilateral trade agreement.

(Edited by Niyati Kothiyal)

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