Congress Criticizes Modi’s Performance at G7 Summit
On Thursday, the Congress party voiced strong criticism of Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding his interactions with US President Donald Trump at the recent G7 Summit. They accused the Prime Minister of not adequately defending India’s strategic, economic, and sovereign interests during the event.
The Congress party issued a statement through its foreign affairs department, expressing disappointment that Modi did not use the summit as an opportunity to highlight India’s role in the Global South. “We had expected the Prime Minister to assert India’s leadership and protect our energy sovereignty, but instead, the summit highlighted a concerning gap between what was said and what was achieved,” the statement noted.
The party also criticized Modi for not securing a waiver for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctions. This waiver would have allowed India to continue importing oil from Russia, something the Congress described as a significant missed opportunity that could lead to higher fuel prices for Indian citizens.
Additionally, the Congress party pointed out that Modi remained silent when Trump took credit for facilitating a ceasefire following Operation Sindoor. They suggested that this silence could either mean Modi accepted Trump’s claims or chose not to contest them, undermining India’s long-standing stance against external mediation in its affairs.
The opposition further expressed concern over Trump’s offer of support for India’s defense, stating it might impact India’s strategic independence. They emphasized that any security discussions not presented in Parliament could complicate India’s relationships with vital partners.
The Congress also condemned Modi for not addressing the deaths of three Indian sailors in a Gulf of Oman tanker attack and the sinking of an Iranian vessel, asserting that both incidents directly challenged India’s maritime interests.
Moreover, the party voiced apprehension about changes in US strategic policies that they believe indicate a reduced importance of India. They highlighted a US government map showing Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as part of Pakistan, calling it a violation of India’s territorial rights.
The Congress accused the BJP government of allowing India’s geopolitical isolation to increase, which, they argue, has helped Pakistan improve its international standing. They stated that the BJP’s approach to foreign relations has shown a lack of strategic foresight.
In concluding remarks, the Congress party expressed worry about Modi’s apparent reluctance to advocate for India’s interests during trade negotiations with the US. They reminded that the ongoing challenges faced by the Indian diaspora, including instances of racism and immigration restrictions, should remain a priority for the Prime Minister.
Overall, the Congress party’s statement emphasized that India’s interests should always take precedence, regardless of who is in power in the US or India.
