Jairam Ramesh targets Narendra Modi over Pakistan’s role in ceasefire talks between United States and Iran
April 8, 2026: The Congress party on Wednesday criticised the Centre after Pakistan emerged as a mediator in ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, calling it a setback to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s diplomatic strategy. The reaction followed Washington and Tehran agreeing to a two-week pause in hostilities after weeks of intense conflict linked to tensions around the Strait of Hormuz. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Pakistan’s involvement undermines India’s long-standing effort to diplomatically isolate Islamabad on the global stage.
Ramesh drew a comparison with the period following the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, claiming that the UPA government under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had successfully isolated Pakistan internationally. He argued that Islamabad’s current role in facilitating talks raises serious questions about India’s foreign policy approach and narrative management, particularly given Pakistan’s economic challenges and global positioning.
The Congress leader also raised concerns over what he described as the abrupt halt of “Op Sindoor” in May 2025, noting that the announcement had come from US officials and that clarity was still lacking. Meanwhile, the ceasefire process is expected to move forward with talks scheduled in Islamabad, as both the United States and Iran prepare to negotiate under a proposed framework, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key condition.