Congress questions Modi-Trump ties after Trump praises Pakistan’s Army Chief

New Delhi

The Congress on Tuesday criticised the Modi government after US President Donald Trump praised Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, questioning the nature of the so-called friendship between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said it was surprising that despite Modi’s repeated claims of being a close friend of Trump, the American leader continues to praise Pakistan’s military establishment.

Ramesh pointed out that Trump hosted Field Marshal Asim Munir for an unprecedented lunch at the White House on June 18, 2025 — the same officer whose communal remarks preceded the Pahalgam terror attacks in April that claimed 26 lives. Trump met Munir again on October 1, 2025, and later referred to him as “my favourite Field Marshal” while addressing a global summit in Egypt. “What kind of signal is Trump sending to India despite Modi’s desperate attempts to please him?” Ramesh asked.

At the summit, Trump also praised Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and invited him to address the gathering after a ceasefire ended the Gaza conflict. Though Trump also lauded India and called it “a great country with a good friend at the top,” Congress said his words carried a mixed message.

Sharif, in response, praised Trump’s role in mediating peace and even suggested he deserved another Nobel Peace Prize. Trump, meanwhile, claimed credit for helping resolve the India-Pakistan conflict, though India maintains the ceasefire was reached through direct talks between the militaries of both nations following Operation Sindoor in May.

Congress said Trump’s comments expose the limitations of Modi’s foreign policy, questioning whether his friendship with Trump has brought any real diplomatic advantage to India.