Congress mocks PM Modi's 'need for validation' as Trump again claims credit for stopping India-Pak war

New Delhi: The Congress on Wednesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over remarks made by United States President Donald Trump, who reiterated his claim of having mediated between India and Pakistan to prevent a potential “nuclear war”.

Congress leader Pawan Khera accused Prime Minister Modi of compromising national interests in exchange for praise from foreign leaders. “From China to the US, the world knows that the greatest weakness of Prime Minister Modi is applause, approval, validation,” Khera said in a post on social media platform X. “Just praise him a little and Modi will undermine India’s interests, giving clean chits to China and surrendering to threats of the US.”

Trump claims ceasefire credit

Khera’s comments came after Trump, speaking at a press conference during the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in The Hague, claimed he had stopped a war between India and Pakistan through a series of phone calls, using trade deals with both countries as leverage.

“The most important of all, India and Pakistan… I ended that with a series of phone calls on trade. I said if you’re going to go fighting each other, we’re not doing any trade deal,” Trump said. He also claimed that both sides expressed willingness to negotiate after being warned of losing trade prospects with the United States.

Trump stated that he met with Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir recently, describing him as “impressive”, and referred to Modi as “a great friend” and “a great gentleman”.

India rejects claims of mediation

The Indian government has repeatedly denied any third-party involvement in matters related to Pakistan, including ceasefire arrangements. Officials have repeatedly clarified that following the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Indian forces conducted strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in May.

Hostilities reportedly ended after a mutual understanding was reached during a conversation between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries.

According to government sources, Prime Minister Modi, in a recent telephonic conversation with Trump, reiterated India’s longstanding position that no external mediation is acceptable in its bilateral relationship with Pakistan.

“There was no discussion at any level between India and the US about the proposed trade deal or American intervention during the events that unfolded after Operation Sindoor,” one official said.