New Delhi [India], June 12 (ANI): Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Thursday expressed strong concern over what he described as three major diplomatic setbacks for India at the hands of the United States, calling for a collective response from all political parties.
Ramesh, who serves as the Congress Party’s General Secretary in charge of Communications, criticized the developments and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call an all-party meeting to address the issue. He characterized the recent events as challenges to Indian diplomacy requiring unified political will.
“Yesterday, Indian diplomacy received three huge setbacks at the hands of the United States. It raises serious questions on US policy,” Ramesh told ANI.
The First Setback:
Ramesh pointed to a statement by US Central Command Chief General Michael Kurilla during a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee. General Kurilla described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism efforts.
Ramesh questioned this assessment, recalling that Osama bin Laden was found hiding in Pakistan for nearly a decade before being killed in Abbottabad in 2011. “Pakistan is a phenomenal counterterrorism partner? It’s a bizarre statement from the top American general,” he said.
The Second Setback:
Ramesh criticized the invitation extended to Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to attend the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations on June 14.
He claimed that Munir made provocative remarks invoking the two-nation theory shortly before the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. “That same Asim Munir is being welcomed in Washington while he used incendiary language that, in my view, gave oxygen to terrorism,” Ramesh asserted.
The Third Setback:
The Congress leader raised objections to the US State Department’s recent reiteration of the role of former President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in facilitating India-Pakistan engagement.
“She [State Department spokesperson] repeated what President Trump has been saying, and even talked about Marco Rubio’s role,” Ramesh said, adding that such statements challenge India’s sovereignty in managing its bilateral relationships.
Call for Collective Response:
Ramesh emphasized the need for unity among political parties to address these diplomatic challenges. “The Prime Minister should meet with opposition leaders, not just individuals but parties. He should convene an all-party meeting and, if needed, a special session of Parliament,” he said.
He also accused Prime Minister Modi of sidelining political consensus and urged him to “stop playing politics and start doing governance.”
Background on the US Army Day Invitation:
According to reports, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is scheduled to arrive in Washington, DC, following an invitation from his American counterpart. He will participate in the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebration, set to take place on Saturday, June 14, coinciding with the birthday of former US President Donald Trump.
The event is expected to be a large-scale affair, featuring approximately 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles, and more than 50 aircraft, making it one of the most significant military parades hosted in the US in recent years.
(ANI)
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