Congress Seeks Clarity After Trump’s “Trade for Peace” Claim on India-Pakistan Standoff

In a politically charged response, the Congress party has questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on former U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial revelation that his administration defused a potential nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan by offering increased trade incentives.

Congress leaders raise questions on US claims as PM Modi stays silent during national address.

The timing of Trump’s statement — made just minutes before PM Modi's national address on Operation Sindoor — raised eyebrows across the political spectrum. Trump claimed that his intervention, which included promises of major trade deals, persuaded both nuclear-armed nations to step back from the brink of war.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh criticized PM Modi for not addressing Trump's remarks during his national broadcast. “The PM's delayed address was completely upstaged by Trump’s shocking revelation,” Ramesh posted on X. “He was silent on key questions: Did India accept U.S. mediation? Are trade-offs being made on Kashmir or markets in agriculture and autos?”

Ramesh emphasized that the gravity of the situation calls for bipartisan unity and strategic diplomacy, not "dialogue-baazi". He called on PM Modi to convene a meeting with leaders of all political parties to ensure transparency and consensus on the path forward.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera echoed these sentiments, calling Trump’s remarks “deeply disturbing.” “The nation deserves answers. Was Operation Sindoor halted due to trade pressure? What were the conditions of this so-called mediation?” he asked. Khera further criticized the prime minister for skipping previous all-party meetings related to the crisis.

The opposition party reiterated its demand for a special session of Parliament to discuss Operation Sindoor, and to clarify India's position on Trump's alleged mediation and trade negotiations.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi, in his speech, reaffirmed that “terror and talks cannot go together” and rejected any form of “nuclear blackmail.” He made it clear that India would not allow terrorism to dictate its diplomatic or defense policies and hinted that future engagements with Pakistan would depend entirely on Islamabad’s conduct.

In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack and the precision strikes under Operation Sindoor, tensions between India and Pakistan had escalated rapidly. It was only after a ceasefire agreement—reportedly facilitated by Washington—that the hostilities subsided.

As public discourse heats up and questions mount over foreign influence and strategic decisions, the government is under increasing pressure to clarify its stance—not just to the opposition, but to the Indian people.