NEW DELHI: Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday (April 8) reacted sharply to the reported two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict, saying the development would be cautiously welcomed worldwide while questioning the Centre’s handling of foreign policy.
In a statement, Ramesh said, “The entire world will cautiously welcome the two-week ceasefire in the Middle East conflict between the US and Israel on the one side and Iran on the other,” referring to ongoing hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Providing context to the crisis, he claimed that “the conflict had begun on Feb 28th with the targeted assassinations of the topmost echelons of the regime in Iran,” linking the timing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Israel.
Ramesh alleged that the visit “diminished India’s global stature and standing.” Modi did not speak out on Israel’s actions in Gaza or the West Bank, he added.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over the role of Pakistan in facilitating the ceasefire, calling it “a severe setback” to the government’s diplomatic strategy.
“The policy to isolate Pakistan for its continuing support to terrorism in J&K and to convince the world that it is a failed state has clearly not succeeded,” he said, contrasting it with what he described as diplomatic gains under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Ramesh further questioned the government’s handling of what he referred to as “Op Sindoor,” asking why it was “suddenly and abruptly halted on May 10th 2025,” noting that initial announcements came from US officials.
He also criticised the External Affairs Minister’s comments on Pakistan while taking aim at Modi’s global positioning.
“There is a palpable sigh of relief everywhere,” Ramesh said, adding a stinging critique of the Prime Minister.
He alleged that Modi had remained silent on Israel’s actions as well as on “completely unacceptable and disgraceful language being used” by leaders in Washington.
The statement comes amid continuing political tensions between the Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party over foreign policy, particularly India’s stance on conflicts in Middle East and its broader engagement with global powers. - The Statesman/ANN
