‘Setback for Indian huglomacy’: Congress blames PM Modi for Trump’s support to Pakistan amid conflict with Afghanistan | India News
New Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Saturday criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi after praising US President Donald Trump. PakistanAmid the ongoing conflict between its leadership and Islamabad the taliban.Reacting to Trump’s comments praising Pakistan’s leadership, Ramesh took to X to express his displeasure. He wrote, “President Trump’s vocal and unequivocal support for Pakistan in its war with Afghanistan is yet another blow to Indian ‘huglomacy’. He has once again gone out of his way to praise the man whose inflammatory comments provided the backdrop for the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam that was orchestrated by Pakistan.”
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Ramesh also pointed to economic concerns arising from India-US trade relations. “Our economic diplomacy with the US has failed miserably, as Mr. Modi suddenly surrendered to an apparently unilateral trade deal where India made firm commitments to import, especially from American farmers, while the US made vague promises to allow greater exports from India. Not only that, just days after the deal, America imported 5% to 81% from India. He wrote.On strategic diplomacy, the Congress leader added, “Our strategic diplomacy has been hit time and again by President Trump’s repeated laxity towards the Pakistani establishment and reversion to the hyphenation of India and Pakistan. The Prime Minister may manage to reap rewards through that. But the reality is that the self-proclaimed world guru and his measures, especially, have been exposed to the world.“The comments came after Trump praised Pakistan’s defense chief Asim Munir and the prime minister Shehbaz Sharif Amidst Islamabad’s ongoing conflict with the Taliban. “Well, I will,” Trump said at a White House briefing [intervene]But I am in harmony with Pakistan, as you know, very well. Very, very good. You have a great prime minister, you have a great general, you have a great leader. I think those are two people I really respect a lot. I think Pakistan is doing terribly well.Following Trump’s comments, US Under Secretary of State Alison Hooker also expressed Washington’s support for Islamabad. He wrote on X, “Talked to Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch today to express our condolences for the loss of life in recent clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban. We are closely monitoring the situation and support Pakistan’s right to defend itself against Taliban attacks.”The tensions came after Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan cities this week, marking its most significant military action since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Subsequent Taliban retaliation triggered further Pakistani attacks, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declaring that Pakistan was now in an “open war” with Afghanistan.While countries like the UK have called for de-escalation, China has called for a ceasefire and Iran has offered to mediate, India has been keeping a close eye on developments. The New Delhi government has repeatedly denied a US role in facilitating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, citing progress in direct bilateral talks.
