Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the foreign policy of the central government, terming Pakistan’s role in the ceasefire between the US and Iran as “a big blow” to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
US President Donald Trump halted the campaign of bombings and attacks on Iran, declared a bilateral ceasefire for two weeks and accepted Iran’s 10-point proposal.
The Iranian side then accepted Trump’s peace proposal and agreed to a halt to military operations along with safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz for two weeks.
Pakistan has played an important role in hosting the talks between the two sides.
Jairam Ramesh targeted Prime Minister Modi and said that the “self-proclaimed world guru” has been exposed. Questioning the central government’s attitude towards foreign affairs, he strongly criticized the Centre’s “silence” on US President Donald Trump’s statements during Israel’s attacks on Iran and Gaza and the Middle East conflict that began on February 28.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over the Prime Minister’s recent visit to Israel.
Ramesh wrote on
These incidents began just two days after Prime Minister Modi’s much-publicized visit to Israel. This visit weakened India’s global prestige and status. Mr Modi had nothing to say about Israel’s genocide in Gaza and its aggressive expansionist policies in the occupied West Bank.
Describing Pakistan as a “bankrupt economy dependent on external donors”, the Congress MP criticized Prime Minister Modi’s approach towards the neighboring country.
He said, “Pakistan’s role in brokering the ceasefire is a serious blow to both the substance and style of Mr. Modi’s highly personalized diplomacy. The policy of isolating Pakistan for its continued support of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and convincing the world that it is a failed state has clearly not succeeded, as Dr. Manmohan Singh achieved after the Mumbai terror attacks.”
The fact that a bankrupt economy, completely dependent on the generosity of external donors and a country in shambles in many ways, was able to play such a role raises questions about Mr Modi’s strategy of engagement and narrative management.
He further added, “He or his team also never explained why Operation Vermillion was suddenly and unexpectedly halted on 10 May 2025 – which was first announced by the US Secretary of State and for which the US President has claimed credit nearly a hundred times since then.”
He wrote in the post, “Heaves of relief are being heard everywhere. The External Affairs Minister dismissed Pakistan as a broker. But now the self-proclaimed world leader has been completely exposed, his self-proclaimed 56-inch chest has shrunk. His cowardice is evident not only on Israel’s aggression but on the completely unacceptable and shameful language being used by his close friend in the White House.”
Ramesh’s criticism came after both the US and Iran had cited the talks held in Pakistan while announcing the ceasefire. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the temporary pause and invited the delegation to Islamabad on Friday, April 10 for talks on a permanent agreement.
“With utmost humility, I am pleased to announce that the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, along with their allies, have agreed to a ceasefire with immediate effect everywhere, including in Lebanon and elsewhere,” the Pakistan prime minister said in a post on Twitter.
He further said, “I warmly welcome this visionary step and express my deep gratitude to the leadership of both the countries and invite their delegations to further negotiate a conclusive agreement to resolve all disputes in Islamabad on Friday, 10 April 2026.”
However, Jonathan Schenzer, executive director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) and former US Treasury Department counter-terrorism analyst, believes that Pakistan owes a lot to China.
Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Pakistan is expanding its alliances by supporting America or working at the behest of China. Shenzer said it was “strange” for Pakistan to involve itself in talks with the White House.
