Congress Jabs PM Modi After Trump Repeats Claims on India-Pakistan Conflict, Russian Oil
New Delhi: The Congress on Friday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi after former US President Donald Trump once again claimed credit for stopping the conflict between India and Pakistan and asserted that India has “largely stopped buying oil from Russia”. The opposition party taunted the Prime Minister, asking, “What does Howdy Modi have to say about all this?”
Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said Trump had repeated his statements 59 times, claiming he halted “Operation Sindoor” using trade and tariffs as leverage.
“The TrumpTracker this morning has touched 59. He reiterates: 1) He stopped Operation Sindoor within 24 hours by using trade and tariffs as leverage; 2) India has largely stopped buying oil from Russia; 3) He speaks to Prime Minister Modi, who wants him to visit India — possibly as soon as next year,” Ramesh posted on X.
In a recent media interaction, Trump repeated his assertion that he had used tariffs to end a military confrontation between India and Pakistan in May.
“Of the eight wars I ended, five or six were ended because of tariffs,” he said. “For example, India and Pakistan started to fight — both are nuclear nations. Eight planes were shot down. I said, ‘If you guys keep fighting, I’m putting tariffs on you.’ They weren’t happy, but within 24 hours I settled the war,” Trump claimed, calling tariffs a “great national defence.”
Trump further said he could visit India next year, adding that talks with New Delhi were “going good.”
“He’s (Modi) a friend of mine. We speak. He wants me to go there. I had a great trip last time with Prime Minister Modi — he’s a great man. I’ll be going,” Trump said, when asked about his travel plans.
India is set to host the next Quad Summit with leaders from Australia, Japan, and the US after the 2024 meeting held in Wilmington, Delaware. The dates, however, are yet to be finalized.
Trump has been repeating since May 10 — when he first announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to a “full and immediate ceasefire” after talks mediated by Washington — that he was instrumental in ending the hostilities.
India, however, has consistently denied any third-party mediation.
Operation Sindoor was launched by India on May 7 against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians. The conflict ended on May 10 after four days of drone and missile exchanges, when both sides reached an understanding to cease hostilities.
