NEW DELHI: Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi for staying silent on US President Donald Trump ’s repeated claims that he used tariffs to push India and Pakistan towards a ceasefire.
Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of choosing flattery over engaging in serious economic and diplomatic discussions.
"Our Prime Minister does not want to hear about tariffs; our Prime Minister only wants to hear 'Tareef' (praise). So, the PM is silent on this. The Prime Minister has not said anything," Ramesh said.
He pointed out that Trump had taken credit on international platforms—specifically in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—for bringing about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan using the threat of tariffs.
"President Trump has said 8 times in 11 days in 3 countries... that this ceasefire has happened because of me, and I have used tariffs and told both the countries that if you get the ceasefire done, then international trade will increase," he said.
Ramesh also raised concerns over Trump’s statement equating India and Pakistan. “He has clearly said that I have put India and Pakistan in the same boat. India's economy has increased 10 times in comparison to Pakistan's economy but both of them have come in the same boat. How can this happen?” he asked, criticising the Indian government’s lack of rebuttal.
He further targeted the silence of external affairs minister S Jaishankar and reiterated that neither he nor the Prime Minister had responded to Trump's remarks.
The Congress leader also lashed out at the BJP government for not convening a special Parliament session or an all-party meeting in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, despite repeated demands from the opposition.
"We demanded that there should be an all-party meeting and the Prime Minister should preside over it... Two meetings have been held. It was a formality. The Defence Minister chaired it. Nothing came out of it; no discussion took place," Ramesh said, referring to letters sent by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to the PM on May 10.
He criticised the government's alleged focus on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency instead of addressing urgent national security concerns. “Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session for what happened 50 years ago? To divert attention from today's questions, they are talking about it,” he said.
Ramesh said the opposition wanted the government to pass a new resolution echoing the one passed unanimously in 1994 on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and terrorism, especially given changing geopolitical realities and China’s deepening ties with Pakistan.
“The terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around... We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions,” he added, accusing the BJP of attacking the Congress while failing to act against terrorists and Pakistan.
Ramesh accused the Prime Minister of choosing flattery over engaging in serious economic and diplomatic discussions.
"Our Prime Minister does not want to hear about tariffs; our Prime Minister only wants to hear 'Tareef' (praise). So, the PM is silent on this. The Prime Minister has not said anything," Ramesh said.
Delhi: Congress MP Jairam Ramesh says, "...Vice President has also raised questions, asked the definition of Viksit Bharat. On the issue of farmers, the Vice President has expressed his grief and pain and has also raised questions, but he (PM) is silent on that too. Why are you… https://t.co/wi14IyF3k2 pic.twitter.com/lT4jUsrNzP
— ANI (@ANI) May 29, 2025
He pointed out that Trump had taken credit on international platforms—specifically in the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—for bringing about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan using the threat of tariffs.
"President Trump has said 8 times in 11 days in 3 countries... that this ceasefire has happened because of me, and I have used tariffs and told both the countries that if you get the ceasefire done, then international trade will increase," he said.
Ramesh also raised concerns over Trump’s statement equating India and Pakistan. “He has clearly said that I have put India and Pakistan in the same boat. India's economy has increased 10 times in comparison to Pakistan's economy but both of them have come in the same boat. How can this happen?” he asked, criticising the Indian government’s lack of rebuttal.
He further targeted the silence of external affairs minister S Jaishankar and reiterated that neither he nor the Prime Minister had responded to Trump's remarks.
The Congress leader also lashed out at the BJP government for not convening a special Parliament session or an all-party meeting in the wake of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, despite repeated demands from the opposition.
"We demanded that there should be an all-party meeting and the Prime Minister should preside over it... Two meetings have been held. It was a formality. The Defence Minister chaired it. Nothing came out of it; no discussion took place," Ramesh said, referring to letters sent by Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi to the PM on May 10.
He criticised the government's alleged focus on marking the 50th anniversary of the Emergency instead of addressing urgent national security concerns. “Undeclared Emergency has been in force in our country since 2014. He wants to call a special session for what happened 50 years ago? To divert attention from today's questions, they are talking about it,” he said.
Ramesh said the opposition wanted the government to pass a new resolution echoing the one passed unanimously in 1994 on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and terrorism, especially given changing geopolitical realities and China’s deepening ties with Pakistan.
“The terrorists of Pahalgam were involved in four attacks, and still they are roaming around... We are asking these questions seriously. They do not answer these questions,” he added, accusing the BJP of attacking the Congress while failing to act against terrorists and Pakistan.
You may also like
EU to strengthen defence system amid Trump admin's 'tough love'
Who is Katie Miller? DOGE Spokeswoman leaving White House with Elon Musk
Harry Potter icon 'doesn't have long to live': 'Not strong enough'
Luis Enrique tragically lost his daughter aged 9 and his mum removed all photos.
Garnacho bargain, Kelleher swoop, Nico Williams surprise - Next Chelsea transfer decided
