Shrinate slams Modi Govt over US travel advisory on India
New Delhi, June 24 (UNI) Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Tuesday slammed the Narendra Modi government over the recently issued "US travel advisory" that warns American citizens, especially women, against travelling alone in India, citing incidents of rape, violence and the potential for terror attacks.
'It is deeply ironic and damaging that such an advisory has been issued for India, a nation striving for global leadership. This has far-reaching implications on our international standing,' Ms Shrinate said while addressing a press conference here.
She said that no similar advisory has been issued for Pakistan—a country 'widely acknowledged as a terror hub' that shelters internationally designated terrorists like Masood Azhar, Hafiz Saeed, and Dawood Ibrahim.
The senior Congress leader also criticised the reported invitation extended to Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir for a dinner with US President Donald Trump.
'Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir is being invited to a dinner to enjoy a meal with US President Donald Trump, who has, in turn, hyphenated India and Pakistan. It is highly objectionable that the Indian PM and Pakistan's Army Chief are being hyphenated together,' she claimed.
Ms Shrinate further alleged, 'In the last 11 years, PM Modi has spent a disproportionate amount of time courting foreign powers from enforceable hugs to events like 'Howdy Modi', 'Namaste Trump', and slogans like 'Ab Ki Baar Trump Sarkar'. Yet, the results are embarrassing'.
Shrinate claimed that the United States, under Trump's leadership, had repeatedly disrespected India by imposing tariffs, accusing India of trade abuse, taking credit for ceasefires, deporting Indian nationals in handcuffs, and now issuing adverse advisories.
'At a time when we need large nations of the world to stand with us, America is issuing travel advisories against us and citing incidents that pertain to the rest of the world. But this really maligns us, and what is the government doing about it? Absolutely nothing. Pindrop silence like always,' she said.
Questioning the very direction of India's foreign policy, she said, 'The cornerstone of our foreign policy should be to uphold India's national interest. But for Modi, it seems to be more about getting the perfect camera angle wherever he goes.'
She also took a dig at External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, saying, 'Our foreign minister appears more interested in making dramatic social media reels than addressing serious diplomatic issues. So, who is really running our foreign policy?'
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