New Delhi (Economy India): A political storm erupted in the Rajya Sabha on Monday as Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Kharge called Trump’s repeated assertions “humiliating” for the country and demanded that the government respond with clarity.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Kharge expressed serious concern over Trump’s public remarks, which suggest he had personally mediated between India and Pakistan to stop hostilities in May 2025, following the Pahalgam terror attack. He insisted such claims damage India’s sovereign stance and diplomatic independence.
> “We are not a weak nation that needs foreign leaders to intervene in our internal or regional matters,” Kharge said, addressing the Upper House.
He further demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally address the House and clarify whether there had been any communication or mediation involving Trump during the said military operation.
Other Congress members joined Kharge in pressing for answers from the government on both Trump’s statement and the handling of the Pahalgam terror incident, which left several soldiers and civilians dead.
The Rajya Sabha briefly descended into uproar, prompting a short adjournment during the Zero Hour. Sloganeering and repeated interventions from opposition benches disrupted the proceedings, reflecting growing political friction over foreign policy transparency and national security.
When the House reconvened for Question Hour at 12 noon, Congress members staged a walkout, accusing the government of evading accountability and failing to address their concerns.
The government, however, maintained silence on the issue during the morning session. Sources from the ruling party later indicated that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) would respond if an official clarification becomes necessary.
This is not the first time Donald Trump has made such statements. During his tenure as U.S. President, he had controversially claimed in 2019 that Prime Minister Modi had requested him to mediate on the Kashmir issue—a statement which India had categorically denied at the time.
Opposition leaders are now urging the government to proactively counter any misleading international narratives, particularly when they challenge India’s diplomatic autonomy or military operations.
Kharge, while exiting the House, reiterated that national security cannot be reduced to diplomatic rumors or foreign assertions, and the government must take a firm stand.
The BJP has not yet issued an official response to the demands raised in the Rajya Sabha, but political observers expect the issue to dominate debate throughout the week.
(Economy India)
Source (PTI)
