Congress Demands To Know Why Pak Is Outshining India In Diplomacy

NEW DELHI-Amid the US-Iran talks in Islamabad, the Congress on April 11 targeted the Union government over what it called a diplomatic failure to prevent the United States from according Pakistan a “new role” in the Middle East peace process.

Jairam Ramesh, Congress General Secretary in charge of Communications, said that the US-Iran meeting in Islamabad had begun and expressed hope that it would mark the start of a durable peace process that would not be derailed by Israel’s continuing aggression in the region.

“Peace in the Middle East must return quickly. The Strait of Hormuz must once again revert to the situation that prevailed before the US-Israel assault on Iran began on Feb 28…,” he said.

Ramesh said Pakistan’s reported role in the talks allegedly undermined India’s long-standing strategy of diplomatically isolating Islamabad over terrorism.

The Congress leader also linked the developments to India’s diplomatic positioning, saying the hostilities began shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel, which he claimed “diminished India’s global stature and standing”.

Ramesh questioned why India could not outshine Pakistan in Gulf conflict-related talks.

“Why didn’t India as the current President of BRICS+ launch any peace or mediation initiative — especially since Iran, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia are members of the BRICS+?” he asked.

He further said, “How has Pakistan managed to carve out a new role for itself despite its role in the dastardly Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and the diplomatic engagement India mounted to isolate it following the terror attack?”

Ramesh added that the failure was especially damaging because the Manmohan Singh-led Congress government had, according to him, effectively isolated Pakistan after the Mumbai terror attacks in November 2008. (IANS)