India watches Pakistan’s foreign policy success with envy Opposition accuses Modi of strategic failure

India’s opposition Indian National Congress (INC) party has criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, pointing to Pakistan’s reported role in facilitating US–Iran peace talks as a diplomatic setback for New Delhi, according to Indian outlet The Print. The party described the fact that Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has become a “huge favourite” of US President Donald Trump as a “monumental setback” to India.

The opposition party noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is “simply incapable” of the overhaul of India’s diplomatic engagement strategy that is needed.

In a post on social media platform X, INC General Secretary Jairam Ramesh said that Islamabad is “reportedly hosting the second round of US-Iran peace talks today.” He also noted that Pakistan has received financial assistance from Saudi Arabia and Qatar to help repay international debt.

“But it is for now playing a pivotal diplomatic role,” Ramesh wrote, adding that Prime Minister Modi’s approach to regional and global engagement has failed to “isolate Pakistan,” which he said has gained a completely “new branding” compared to the post-2008 Mumbai attacks period under former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Ramesh further stated that Field Marshal Asim Munir’s emergence as a ‘favourite of President Trump’ marks a significant setback for India’s foreign policy, arguing that Pakistan has been more effective in handling its engagement with Trump’s political network.

“That the Field Marshal and his colleagues seem to have succeeded in managing the Trump ecosystem of family and associates much better than India is obvious. It is a monumental setback for Mr. Modi’s foreign policy. India needs a complete overhaul of its diplomatic engagement strategy and tactics – which Mr. Modi is simply incapable of doing,” he concluded.

By Jeyhun Aghazada