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The Congress party on Wednesday criticised the Modi government after Pakistan emerged as a mediator in ceasefire talks between the United States and Iran, calling it a blow to the Prime Minister’s “highly personalised diplomacy”.

The reaction comes after Washington and Tehran agreed to a two-week ceasefire following 40 days of intense fighting, just hours after US President Donald Trump issued a warning linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

‘Severe Setback’ for Modi’s Strategy

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh, in a post on X, said Pakistan’s role in facilitating the talks undermines India’s long-standing effort to diplomatically isolate Islamabad over its alleged support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

He contrasted the situation with the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, claiming that the previous UPA government led by Manmohan Singh had succeeded in isolating Pakistan internationally.

“That a bankrupt economy dependent entirely on the largesse of external donors and a broken country in so many ways was able to play such a role calls into question Mr. Modi’s strategy of engagement and narrative management,” Ramesh said.

Questions Over ‘Op Sindoor’ and US Role

Ramesh also raised questions about what he described as the abrupt halt of “Op Sindoor” on May 10, 2025. He pointed out that the first announcement came from the US Secretary of State and noted that the US President has repeatedly claimed credit for it.

“He or his team has also never explained why Op Sindoor was suddenly and abruptly halted,” he added.

In a sharp attack, the Congress leader accused the Prime Minister of remaining silent on key global developments, including Israel’s actions and remarks from the US leadership.

Islamabad to Host Crucial Peace Talks

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are set to move forward, with the United States and Iran scheduled to hold ceasefire talks in Islamabad on Friday.

Iran’s National Security Council confirmed the development, stating that discussions with Washington would proceed based on Tehran’s 10-point proposal.

The announcement followed Trump’s decision to “suspend” attacks on Iran for two weeks, stepping back from an earlier threat to escalate military action.

Strait of Hormuz at the Centre of Truce

The ceasefire remains conditional, with Trump insisting on the “complete, immediate and safe opening” of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route linking the Gulf to the Arabian Sea.

Iran’s partial blockade of the strait, imposed after US and Israeli strikes on February 28, has disrupted global trade, pushing up oil prices and triggering fuel shortages worldwide.