Congress leader Jairam Ramesh welcomed the reported US-Iran peace agreement but criticised the Modi government’s foreign policy
June 15, 2026: The Congress on Monday criticised the Narendra Modi-led government’s foreign policy, claiming that Pakistan has regained regional and global influence, creating new strategic challenges for India. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said the reported peace agreement between the United States and Iran, expected to be formally signed in Geneva on June 19, was a positive development that could help restore stability in West Asia and ensure uninterrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ramesh, however, argued that the agreement would not immediately solve India’s economic challenges. He said issues such as pressure on the rupee, sluggish private investment, weak consumer demand, rising imports from China, and difficulties faced by MSMEs had existed long before the recent conflict in West Asia. According to him, these structural concerns continue to affect India’s economic growth and investment climate.
The Congress leader also warned that Pakistan’s growing diplomatic relevance, combined with China’s deep strategic involvement in the country, poses a significant geopolitical challenge for India. He urged the government to adopt a more balanced foreign policy approach, particularly regarding developments in West Asia. His remarks came after Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced that the US and Iran had reached a peace understanding and that a formal signing ceremony would take place in Switzerland later this week.