Opposition Slams Modi Govt Over US Mediation Claims, Demands All-Party Meet

New Delhi. The Opposition has questioned thye Modi government on its stance on the Simla Agreement and the possibility of third-party mediation in India-Pakistan relations following recent US claims. The Congress, leading the charge, reiterated its demand for an all-party meeting and a special Parliament session to address critical developments, including the Pahalgam terror attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire announcements first made by Washington DC.

US President Donald Trump’s remarks on Sunday, expressing his intent to work with India and Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue “after a thousand years,” sparked outrage among Opposition leaders. This followed his claim a day earlier that the US facilitated the recent India-Pakistan ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio further stirred controversy by stating that the two nations would hold talks at a “neutral site,” raising questions about India’s long-standing policy of bilateralism under the 1972 Simla Agreement.

Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, in a scathing post on X, questioned, “Have we abandoned the Simla Agreement? Have we opened the doors to third-party mediation?” He highlighted Rubio’s “neutral site” comment as a departure from India’s diplomatic stance, which mandates resolving disputes with Pakistan bilaterally without external involvement. Ramesh also sought clarity on whether diplomatic channels with Pakistan are being reopened and what assurances New Delhi has secured from Islamabad.

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi formally wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging a special Parliament session to discuss the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the ceasefire. “These developments demand transparency and a collective resolve,” Kharge stated, emphasizing the need for national unity.

The Opposition’s concerns were echoed by other parties. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut called Trump’s remarks an “insult” and an “attack on India’s sovereignty,” questioning why Modi has not convened an all-party meeting. “If the PM has courage, he should be present and answer these questions,” Raut said, criticizing the government’s silence on Trump’s claims. He also pointed out the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict, questioning why Trump has not intervened there instead.

RJD MP Manoj K Jha termed Trump’s statement “shocking, bizarre, disgusting,” particularly objecting to the “thousand years” reference, given Pakistan’s 78-year existence. “No third party has the mandate to intervene. India must speak in one voice,” Jha told DH, urging a strong rebuttal to the US. Forward Bloc General Secretary G Devarajan expressed “grave concern” over external powers influencing regional conflicts, calling for India to assert its sovereignty.

The Opposition also drew attention to remarks by former Army Chief Gen Manoj Naravane, who, while welcoming the ceasefire, cautioned against India’s “incident-based response” to terror strikes. “These remarks demand answers from the Prime Minister himself,” Ramesh said, invoking the legacy of Indira Gandhi’s resolute leadership during the 1971 war.

The BJP, meanwhile, defended the ceasefire as a strategic move, with leaders hailing Modi’s leadership and the armed forces’ role in Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalgam attack. However, Congress leaders criticized the government for what they called a “premature ceasefire,” with Ramesh questioning whether it undermines the lessons Pakistan was meant to learn.