The Congress party on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of failing to directly raise with US President Donald Trump the killing of three Indian seafarers in an American military strike. The opposition party alleged that the government's guiding principle has become "PR first" rather than "nation first."
Congress criticises Modi's G7 summit interaction with Trump
Addressing a press conference, Congress media and publicity department head Pawan Khera criticised Modi's interaction with Trump on the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. According to The Hindu, Khera said that Modi sat "huddled on the sofa" while addressing Trump as "excel..." — a remark that highlights the Congress party's view that the Prime Minister did not take a strong enough stance on the issue.
Congress invokes past diplomatic responses
The opposition party also invoked the responses of former prime ministers Manmohan Singh and Indira Gandhi during past diplomatic disputes involving the United States. Congress argued that previous Congress governments had prioritised national interests in their dealings with Washington, contrasting this with the current government's approach. As reported by National Herald, the party alleged that Modi failed to directly raise the killing of three Indian seafarers in a US strike during his meeting with President Trump at the G7 summit.
Our Take: A question of diplomatic priorities
In our view, this criticism raises a legitimate question about how the government handles sensitive issues involving major allies like the United States. The deaths of Indian seafarers in a foreign military action is a serious matter that demands direct diplomatic engagement. Whether or not the Prime Minister raised the issue privately, the Congress party's accusation that the government prioritises "PR first" over "nation first" reflects a broader concern about transparency in India's foreign policy. The public deserves to know that the government is standing up for its citizens, even when dealing with powerful nations. This incident underscores the need for clear communication from the government on how it addresses such critical matters.
