New Delhi: Congress on Thursday criticised the government's foreign policy, saying failures in diplomacy and outreach have allowed Pakistan to emerge as a "broker country" in efforts to resolve the West Asia conflict.
The party's remarks came after the external affairs minister said India is not a "broker country".
"The external affairs minister said last night that India is not a broker country. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the colossal failures in our diplomacy, outreach and narrative management have made a broken country a broker country," said Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh. "That is the self-styled Vishwaguru's singular contribution to our diplomatic record, which no amount of one-liners from the EAM can erase."
Ramesh said Pakistan's perceived role in mediation reflects poorly on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy. He pointed out that Pakistan was internationally isolated after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to diplomatic efforts by the Manmohan Singh government.
"In contrast, even after the communally incendiary and poisonous statements of the Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir provided the oxygen for the terror attacks in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, we have been unable to isolate Pakistan on the international stage. In fact, it has only emerged as a more relevant actor, and after May 10, 2025 itself, it has become clear that Field Marshal Asim Munir has become a favourite of President Trump and his team," he said.
Questioning Pakistan's suitability for any mediatory role, Ramesh said it is a country whose state has orchestrated terrorism in India and elsewhere for decades, provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden and other global terrorists, and violated nuclear non-proliferation norms.
The party's remarks came after the external affairs minister said India is not a "broker country".
"The external affairs minister said last night that India is not a broker country. Be that as it may, the fact remains that the colossal failures in our diplomacy, outreach and narrative management have made a broken country a broker country," said Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh. "That is the self-styled Vishwaguru's singular contribution to our diplomatic record, which no amount of one-liners from the EAM can erase."
Ramesh said Pakistan's perceived role in mediation reflects poorly on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomacy. He pointed out that Pakistan was internationally isolated after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks due to diplomatic efforts by the Manmohan Singh government.
"In contrast, even after the communally incendiary and poisonous statements of the Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir provided the oxygen for the terror attacks in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, we have been unable to isolate Pakistan on the international stage. In fact, it has only emerged as a more relevant actor, and after May 10, 2025 itself, it has become clear that Field Marshal Asim Munir has become a favourite of President Trump and his team," he said.
Questioning Pakistan's suitability for any mediatory role, Ramesh said it is a country whose state has orchestrated terrorism in India and elsewhere for decades, provided sanctuary to Osama bin Laden and other global terrorists, and violated nuclear non-proliferation norms.
