New Delhi, July 19, 2025 — The Indian National Congress has intensified its demand for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver a formal statement in Parliament following fresh remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding his alleged role in mediating the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
In what Congress termed the “24th Trump missile”, President Trump reiterated claims that the United States prevented a full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed nations by leveraging trade negotiations. Speaking at a private dinner with Republican lawmakers, Trump stated, “Planes were being shot out of the air… I think five jets were shot down, actually. It was getting bigger and bigger, and we got it solved through trade”.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh sharply criticized the Prime Minister’s continued silence, referencing Modi’s past public camaraderie with Trump during events such as Howdy Modi (2019) and Namaste Trump (2020). “The Prime Minister must now make a clear and categorical statement in Parliament on what President Trump has been claiming over the past 70 days,” Ramesh asserted.
The opposition party has called for a special discussion during the upcoming Monsoon Session, demanding accountability on issues of national sovereignty, foreign policy credibility, and the alleged downing of five aircraft during the May conflict. Congress also questioned whether India’s national honor was compromised in exchange for trade concessions.
India has consistently maintained that the ceasefire agreement with Pakistan, reached on May 10, was the result of direct military-level talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both countries. The government has denied any third-party mediation, including U.S. involvement.
The conflict, which escalated following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, saw India launch Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Hostilities reportedly ceased after four days of cross-border drone and missile strikes.
With Trump’s remarks continuing to stir diplomatic and political debate, the Congress party has reiterated its demand for Prime Minister Modi to personally address Parliament, rather than delegating the issue to other ministers. The matter is expected to dominate early proceedings in the Monsoon Session.
