Congress Accuses PM Modi of Prioritising Image Over National Interest in Trump Meeting
The Congress party on Saturday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not raising the killing of three Indian seafarers during his meeting with US President Donald Trump at the G7 summit. Party spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged that the government's mantra is 'PR first' rather than 'nation first'.
Khera contrasted Modi's approach with that of former Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Indira Gandhi, who he said gave primacy to national interest during diplomatic interactions with the US. He cited Singh's handling of the Devyani Khobragade incident in 2013 and Gandhi's resistance to a US transmitter in Sri Lanka in 1986 as examples.
During a press conference, Khera described Modi's body language as submissive, saying he sat 'huddled on the sofa' and addressed Trump as 'excellency'. He claimed that despite US attacks killing three Indian sailors, Trump expressed no regret because Modi 'sat there meekly'.
Khera also pointed to several outcomes of the Modi-Trump meeting, including the US renaming the Indo-Pacific Command back to Pacific Command, depiction of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Pakistan on a US map, and suspension of certain visa categories for Indians. He argued that these developments indicate a loss of Indian dignity on the global stage.
The Congress leader further alleged that Modi failed to discuss the US trade deal, Trump's ceasefire claims regarding 'Operation Sindoor', or the sinking of the Iranian vessel 'IRIS Dena', which he said was a guest of India. He compared Modi unfavourably to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who gave a firm response to Trump.
The government has not yet responded to these allegations. The incident has sparked a political debate about India's diplomatic stance under the current administration.
