The Congress party has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his handling of key issues during his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the G7 summit. Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that Modi failed to address critical topics, including the deaths of Indian sailors, the one-sided U.S. trade deal, and President Trump’s claims regarding the Operation Sindoor ceasefire. Khera suggested that Modi could learn from Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on how to respond with confidence.
**Deaths of Indian Sailors**
The incident involving the deaths of three Indian sailors aboard the Palau-flagged oil tanker MT Settebello in the Gulf of Oman has been a point of contention. The U.S. military accused the vessel of violating the blockade on Iranian ports, leading to the attack. The victims were identified as Aditya Sharma, a cadet; Shivanand Chaurashiya, a fitter; and Patnala Suresh, a chief engineer. In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs summoned U.S. Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge a strong protest over the deaths. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also raised the issue with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the G7 meeting, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the importance of the safety of Indian nationals working on ships worldwide, stating, “Their safety is of utmost importance to us.” However, President Trump’s response was brief: “It’s a tough profession. There’s no question about it. And we work together on it.”
**Bilateral Trade Agreement**
The India-U.S. trade relationship has been marked by tensions, particularly due to the Trump administration’s imposition of steep tariffs on Indian exports, partly in response to New Delhi’s continued purchase of Russian oil. Negotiations for a broader bilateral trade agreement have been ongoing, with U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor stating in early June that 99 percent of the proposed interim agreement had been finalized. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal mentioned that both sides had settled most elements of the first phase, with discussions focusing on a few minor issues. During the G7 meeting, President Trump indicated that a new deal was “very close” and described Modi as a “tough” negotiator. However, Khera alleged that Modi did not push back on the one-sided nature of the trade deal.
**Operation Sindoor Ceasefire Claims**
President Trump has repeatedly claimed that he used trade negotiations to halt “Operation Sindoor,” a military operation conducted by India. This assertion has been a point of contention, with India refuting the claim. Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned Prime Minister Modi’s silence on this matter, highlighting the discrepancy between India’s and the U.S.’s accounts of the situation. Khera suggested that Modi should learn from leaders like Giorgia Meloni on how to respond with confidence to such claims.
**Congress’s Critique of Modi’s Approach**
The Congress party’s criticism centers on Prime Minister Modi’s approach during the G7 summit. Khera’s remarks imply that Modi’s handling of these issues was inadequate and that he could benefit from adopting a more assertive stance, similar to that of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. This comparison underscores the Congress party’s dissatisfaction with Modi’s diplomatic strategies and his responses to international challenges.
In summary, the Congress party has raised significant concerns regarding Prime Minister Modi’s handling of critical issues during his meeting with President Trump at the G7 summit. The party’s critique focuses on the deaths of Indian sailors, the bilateral trade agreement, and the Operation Sindoor ceasefire claims. Congress leaders have called for a more assertive and confident approach in addressing these matters, drawing parallels with leaders like Giorgia Meloni to emphasize the need for a stronger response.
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