Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has sharply criticised the Centre, calling Pakistan’s reported role in mediating the recent US-Iran ceasefire a “severe setback” for India’s diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ramesh’s remarks come amid global attention on a temporary two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran, where Pakistan has emerged as a key intermediary facilitating dialogue between the two sides.
Citing multiple international reports, the Congress leader stated that Pakistan being used as a diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran represents a “rebuff to India” and exposes what he termed as weaknesses in the Modi government’s foreign policy approach.
He further alleged that despite India’s strategic positioning and past diplomatic engagements in West Asia, it has been sidelined in a critical geopolitical development. According to Ramesh, Pakistan—despite facing internal and economic challenges—has managed to gain diplomatic visibility and leverage through its involvement in the ceasefire process.
The ceasefire itself comes at a crucial time, as tensions in the Middle East had escalated significantly, impacting global energy routes such as the Strait of Hormuz and raising concerns over oil supply disruptions.
The development has triggered a fresh political debate in India, with the opposition questioning the effectiveness of current diplomatic strategies, while the government continues to emphasize strategic autonomy and bilateral engagement.
