Congress questions PM Modi’s ‘natural partners’ remark on India-U.S. ties

Taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his description of India and the U.S. as “natural partners,” the Congress on Wednesday asked whether the partnership was so “natural” that U.S. President Donald Trump had, on “over 35 different occasions,” claimed credit for brokering an India-Pakistan ceasefire using trade as leverage.

In a post on social media platform X, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said, “Prime Minister Modi has told President Trump that India and the U.S. are ‘natural partners.’ The question is now this: Are they so natural that President Trump has declared on over 35 different occasions that he brought about the India-Pakistan ceasefire on the evening of May 10th using trade as the instrument of leverage?”

The Congress’s remarks followed Mr. Modi’s response to Mr. Trump’s positive assessment of trade talks between the two countries. Mr. Modi had expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiations would help “unlock the limitless potential of the partnership”.

Signalling a thaw in bilateral ties, Mr. Trump said he was “certain” there would be “no difficulty” for India and the U.S. to successfully conclude the trade talks.