Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi of “Fearing Trump”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has once again launched a blistering political attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of being “afraid of US President Donald Trump.” Gandhi’s criticism comes shortly after Trump claimed that India would soon stop buying oil from Russia, allegedly based on assurances from Modi himself.
In a post shared on social media, Rahul Gandhi wrote:
“PM Modi is afraid of Trump. He allowed Trump to announce that India will no longer buy Russian oil. Despite repeated neglect, congratulatory messages are sent.”
The Congress MP referred to PM Modi’s recent message congratulating President Trump for brokering a peace agreement between Hamas and Israel, suggesting that Modi was more interested in “pleasing Trump” than defending India’s sovereignty in foreign matters.
Operation Sindoor and Foreign Policy Failures
Gandhi didn’t stop there. He also resurrected the controversy surrounding Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military and diplomatic mission in the Middle East. According to Gandhi, the Prime Minister has avoided direct confrontation with China and failed to assert India’s interests when it mattered most.
He alleged that during Operation Sindoor, China openly backed Pakistan, yet the Prime Minister “remained silent.”
“PM Modi did not oppose Trump on Operation Sindoor either. When China openly supported Pakistan, the Prime Minister made no statement. Our foreign policy has collapsed. Why did no country support India during Operation Sindoor?” Gandhi questioned.
The Congress leader further claimed that the Finance Minister’s visit to the US was canceled, and PM Modi himself avoided attending the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, implying diplomatic discomfort amid rising US pressure.
Congress Questions Trump’s “Control” Over India’s Decisions
Adding to the criticism, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh echoed Rahul Gandhi’s sentiments, suggesting that Washington now announces India’s decisions before New Delhi does.
In a sharply worded social media post, Ramesh wrote:
“President Trump announces decisions taken by the Indian government in Washington, D.C. Praise from here, tariffs from there! President Trump has claimed 51 times that he is responsible for preventing India-Pakistan tensions by issuing trade threats.”
Referring to Trump’s recent remarks about Russian oil, Ramesh added:
“Trump said he told PM Modi that India should stop buying oil from Russia — and Modi assured him. If such a decision has been taken, the Prime Minister should announce it to the nation. Why is he silent?”
Ramesh accused the government of double standards, saying: “The Prime Minister tweets praising Trump, but America imposes tariffs on us.”
Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny
Congress leaders have seized upon the latest episode to highlight what they describe as a collapse of India’s foreign policy.
Rahul Gandhi reiterated:
“The Prime Minister should explain the truth behind buying oil from Russia. Why hasn’t a trade agreement with the US been reached yet? The Prime Minister should take Parliament into confidence and build consensus. Our foreign policy has completely failed.”
Political analysts note that the opposition is using Trump’s public statements to question Modi’s assertiveness on the global stage. The perception that foreign powers, particularly the US, are influencing India’s decisions has become a recurring theme in Congress’s critique of the government’s diplomacy.
“Rahul Gandhi’s line of attack is clear — to portray Modi as submissive in front of powerful allies,” said political analyst Dr. Shailesh Pathak. “This narrative appeals to voters who expect India to act independently, not under pressure.”
Women’s Rights and the Afghan Minister Controversy
In a separate controversy, Rahul Gandhi also targeted the Modi government over the exclusion of women journalists from a press conference addressed by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi.
Condemning the move, Gandhi said the government’s silence “speaks volumes” about its stance on women’s rights.
“Mr. Modi, when you allow women journalists to be excluded from public forums, you are telling every woman in India that you are too weak to stand up for them,” Gandhi posted. “In our country, women have the right to equal participation in every field. Your silence exposes the hollowness of your slogans on women’s empowerment.”
This incident, coupled with Trump’s claim and the opposition’s growing criticism, has once again put PM Modi’s foreign policy and domestic image under pressure ahead of key political months in India.
Bottom Line: Political Storm Over Trump’s Remarks
Trump’s remark that “PM Modi assured him India will stop buying Russian oil” has triggered a political storm in India, reigniting debates about sovereignty, foreign pressure, and leadership style. While the Indian government has made no official statement yet, the opposition is framing it as another example of foreign interference in domestic policy.
For the Modi government, balancing ties between Washington and Moscow remains a diplomatic tightrope — one that now faces scrutiny not just internationally, but domestically as well.
